Parliamentary questions

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Richard Boyd Barrett

5. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when Cabinet committee D (infrastructure) will next meet. [44702/17]

Schools Property

Richard Boyd Barrett

74. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of plans to protect playing fields owned by the religious orders but used by publicly funded schools to ensure their use by current and future pupils of such schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45030/17]

Schools Building Regulations

Richard Boyd Barrett

82. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools being audited or investigated for fire safety or building regulation breach issues; the number of these built by a company (details supplied); if a college (details supplied) built by the company is lying idle; if so, the reason; if he will provide all information possible within sub judice as to the nature of the legal action under way regarding the college; and if, in view of these issues, he is of the view that the company should receive public contracts in the future. [44820/17]

Consular Services Provision

Richard Boyd Barrett

174. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied); if there is recourse available regarding their property; if assistance can be given to the person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45225/17]

Disability Activation Projects

Richard Boyd Barrett

215. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health his views on whether the job shadow initiative for persons with mental health difficulties is succeeding; the current initiative and plans for the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45195/17]

Tax Compliance

Richard Boyd Barrett

13. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance the figures for 2015 and 2016 and to date in 2017 for the tax revenue from the relevant contracts tax, RCT1, tax head; the gross figure and the figure net of refunds, deductions and allowances in the construction sector; the number of construction workers to which this relates; the comparative figures for the same years for PAYE workers in the construction sector; if he is satisfied that the tax take from RCT1 in the construction sector is fully capturing the sector's tax liability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44724/17]

Tax Code

Richard Boyd Barrett

22. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a report (details supplied) shows that nine out of ten persons would favour a wealth tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44721/17]

Universal Social Charge Application

Richard Boyd Barrett

29. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if he will correct the anomaly that sees pre-1995 public sector pensioners pay the universal social charge on all their income, while all other recipients of the State pension are exempt from USC on that portion of their income resulting in these persons being worse off than other persons who receive the State pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44720/17]

Tax Compliance

Richard Boyd Barrett

38. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if he will report on recent efforts to clamp down on bogus self-employment; the number of workplace raids the Revenue Commissioners have participated in with the joint investigations unit; the nature and consequence of these raids; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44722/17]

Corporation Tax Regime

Richard Boyd Barrett

39. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance the extent of deductions, allowances and reliefs allowing corporations to reduce their tax liability under headings such as intra-agency transfers, research and development, losses brought forward and other such headings; his views on whether such reliefs, deductions and allowances are facilitating large scale tax avoidance and represent bad value as tax expenditures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44723/17]

UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Richard Boyd Barrett

34. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the blocks preventing the immediate ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44195/17]

UN Declarations

Richard Boyd Barrett

46. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to mark the United Nations' International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3 December 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44196/17]

Cross-Border Health Services Provision

Richard Boyd Barrett

155. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the procedure a person should go through if they require surgery in another country; the way in which they receive a referral for the surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44347/17]

Health Insurance Regulation

Richard Boyd Barrett

157. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if the regulations on health insurance require that a health insurance company here must take into account the number of years that a person returning here has had with an international health insurance company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44353/17]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Richard Boyd Barrett

10. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when Cabinet Committee A (Economy) will next meet. [43786/17]

Defence Forces Remuneration

Richard Boyd Barrett

55. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if his Department's allocation in budget 2018 will see the issue of chronic low pay in the Defence Forces addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44030/17]

Defence Forces Strength

Richard Boyd Barrett

74. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the way in which he plans to address the staffing shortages in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44031/17]

Assisted Human Reproduction Services Provision

Richard Boyd Barrett

150. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health when the new support scheme for IVF will be available; the assistance available until then; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44198/17]

Affordable Childcare Scheme Data

Richard Boyd Barrett

50. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will report on the affordable child care scheme; the current and projected funding; the take-up across the country; the level of subsidies being given; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43792/17]

Affordable Childcare Scheme Implementation

Richard Boyd Barrett

514. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the uptake of the affordable childcare scheme rolled out in September 2017, by area and cost of subsidies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43797/17]

Child Care Services Funding

Richard Boyd Barrett

515. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will report on the €35 million allocated to her Department for childcare schemes in budget 2017; the schemes it funded; if she will provide a breakdown of funding for the different schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43798/17]

Child and Family Agency Investigations

Richard Boyd Barrett

516. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 183 of 27 September 2017, if further information has been received by Tusla; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43832/17]

Motorised Transport Grant

Richard Boyd Barrett

119. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 542 of 31 January 2017, the position regarding the scheme eight months later; when it scheme will be made available to members of the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43273/17]

Harbours and Piers

Richard Boyd Barrett

21. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on the planned transfer of ownership of Dún Laoghaire harbour to Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42168/17]

Irish Aviation Authority

Richard Boyd Barrett

60. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way in which the routes tendered to a company (details supplied) will be affected by this transfer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42137/17]

Air Pollution

Richard Boyd Barrett

161. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has reviewed the evidence linking diesel exhaust fumes to certain cancers; his plans to ban this type of fuel in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43080/17]

Property Tax Assessments

Richard Boyd Barrett

23. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if consideration will be given to basing property tax on income for pensioners similar to the French system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42815/17]

State Claims Agency

Richard Boyd Barrett

25. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance the avenue of appeal open to persons that have applied to the State Claims Agency and have had their claim turned down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42480/17]

Help-To-Buy Scheme

Richard Boyd Barrett

30. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if studies have been carried out to investigate the impact of the help-to-buy scheme on house prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42601/17]

Public Sector Pay

Richard Boyd Barrett

70. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on whether PeoplePoint has sufficient resources to process all the incoming information; the number of persons in the Civil
Service waiting on salary adjustments; the length of time they are waiting; if this delay is in accordance with the Payment of Wages Act 1991; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42478/17]

Superannuation Schemes

Richard Boyd Barrett

71. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if it is a breach of the Employment Equality Acts in relation to terms and conditions of employment on the ground of disability to oblige disabled civil servants to be members of the 1984 Civil Service (Spouses and Children's) Superannuation Scheme in view of the 2002 IPA report on the employment and career progression of civil servants with a disability in the Civil Service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42484/17]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Richard Boyd Barrett

601. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the objectives of the commission of investigation into mother and baby homes; the actions that will be taken as a result of the commission; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42604/17]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Richard Boyd Barrett

602. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the location of the records for St. Patrick's mother and baby home, Navan Road, of births, deaths, procedural matters, State involvement and so on; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42605/17]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Richard Boyd Barrett

603. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the location of the burial of the babies who died at St. Patrick's mother and baby home, Navan Road; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42606/17]

Disability Services Provision

Richard Boyd Barrett

735. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the body responsible for ensuring that disability access and facilities are maintained to suitable standards in retail buildings in which these facilities exist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42942/17]

Local Authority Management

Richard Boyd Barrett

744. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the corporate policy groups and strategic policy committees guidelines for the establishment and operation issued by his Department in June 2014 (details supplied) intended to expand the role, function and responsibilities of corporate policy groups beyond policy matters (details supplied); if the corporate policy group in the new role would be empowered to organise the business of the elected council; if so, the location in section 133 of the Local Government Act 2001, as amended by the Local Government Reform Act 2014, in which such powers, functions or responsibilities are sourced for inclusion in the guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42392/17]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Richard Boyd Barrett

5. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he has spoken with Chancellor Merkel recently. [41674/17]

Renewable Energy Projects

Richard Boyd Barrett

61. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the way in which the current RESS plan announced by him will encourage or facilitate disadvantaged or rural communities to participate in renewable energy projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41842/17]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Richard Boyd Barrett

2. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when Cabinet Committee C, European Union, including Brexit, will be meeting. [40545/17]

Overseas Visits

Richard Boyd Barrett

13. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his visit to Canada. [41675/17]

Afforestation Programme

Richard Boyd Barrett

37. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied that current afforestation rates are sufficient in view of the requirement to significantly expand climate change mitigation measures as part of commitments under the Paris climate accords; if current rates of felling are negating the already low level of afforestation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41676/17]

Universal Social Charge Application

Richard Boyd Barrett

102. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider in his pre-budget deliberations with regard to the USC, the correction of the anomaly that sees pre-1995 public sector pensioners pay the universal social charge on all their income while all other recipients of the State pension are exempt from USC on that portion of their income, resulting in the pre-1995 pensioners being worse off than other pensioners who receive the State pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41269/17]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Richard Boyd Barrett

544. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the location of a burial ground for an institution (details supplied); and if there are records of those that died while resident in that institution. [41270/17]

Housing for People with Disabilities Provision

Richard Boyd Barrett

603. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the regulations on the allocation of council houses on medical grounds; the regulations on the prioritisation of persons with disabilities and those with medical issues that are not considered to be disabilities for social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41377/17]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Richard Boyd Barrett

1. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when Cabinet committee E, health, will next meet. [39620/17]

Child and Family Agency Investigations

Richard Boyd Barrett

183. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will investigate with Tusla the steps taken regarding a report in 2016 of mental, physical and sexual abuse by other service users and staff circa 2010 to 2012 at a charity made by a person (details supplied); and if she will further investigate the complaints of the person that reports were not taken seriously or investigated adequately by the charity or Tusla. [40836/17]

Public Procurement Contracts

Richard Boyd Barrett

41. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans for new legislation to ensure proper wages and conditions for workers and full tax compliance, with particular emphasis on bogus self-employment, in all public contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40479/17]

Public Sector Staff Recruitment

Richard Boyd Barrett

49. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he is satisfied that there is sufficient transparency, accountability and oversight in the area of top-level appointments in the public sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40481/17]

Public Sector Staff Recruitment

Richard Boyd Barrett

50. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to increase staffing levels and to ensure adequate funding for same in view of the clear connection between staff shortages and significant crises across the public sector in areas such as housing, health and, in particular, mental health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40480/17]

Public Procurement Regulations

Richard Boyd Barrett

51. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he given consideration to substantial penalties for companies in receipt of public contracts that do not meet minimum standards of proper wages and conditions for their employees or that are found to be fraudulent and-or non-compliant with the law in areas such as tax, health and safety and building regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40483/17]

Public Expenditure Policy

Richard Boyd Barrett

58. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the public expenditure envelope allowed for in the existing fiscal space is adequate to meet the needs and demands for key areas of infrastructure and crucial public services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40482/17]

NewERA Administration

Richard Boyd Barrett

65. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance the amount NewERA has transferred to Coillte and Bord na Móna in respect of developing alternative energy and other new industry; the criteria which has been applied to a cost-benefit analysis of value for the use of this public funding; the amount of NewEra funding which has come from the National Pension Reserve Fund; the other sources of funding it has availed of; the person or body in charge of NewEra; the person or body overseeing its operations, that is, Minister and Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40376/17]

Coillte Teoranta Activities

Richard Boyd Barrett

414. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will instruct Coillte to provide full and clear ownership and title deeds for Massey's Wood and the Hell Fire Club with regard to the current major development proposal for these sites; if he will instruct Coillte to provide all of the ecological and biodiversity studies and reports, including species lists and so on, that it has commissioned or conducted at these sites; if he will instruct Coillte to furnish its plans regarding ongoing management in respect of the pine weevil issue of the public forest estate when its cypermethrin derogation expires; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40369/17]

Afforestation Programme

Richard Boyd Barrett

415. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide the latest afforestation figures; the amount of funding which has been made available on an annual basis for afforestation since 2012 in view of the fact that planting rates have remained low; the position regarding the funding shortfall year on year; the annual shortfall for 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40370/17]

Forestry Sector

Richard Boyd Barrett

416. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide the latest research that has been conducted by the Forest Service into the climate adaptability of commercial and native tree species in view of ongoing climate change threats; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40371/17]

Forestry Sector

Richard Boyd Barrett

417. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide the information showing the extent of abandoned and failed tree plantations in counties Donegal, Mayo, Sligo, Galway and Clare; if he will provide the latest carbon calculations for the forest estate and the projected carbon figures into 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40372/17]

Forestry Grants

Richard Boyd Barrett

418. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the funding provided by the Forest Service to a non-governmental organisation (details supplied) since 1996; the criteria which has been used to qualify this funding; if there was an opportunity for other forest NGOs to apply for similar funding; if there was a tender process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40373/17]

Transport Infrastructure Ireland Remit

Richard Boyd Barrett

457. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way in which the EU funding criteria attached to motorway infrastructure in respect of the planting of linear native woodlands for buffering alongside new motorways has been applied; the reason there appears to be a completely ad hoc approach to the existing motorway planting; if there are management plans for the existing woodlands as part of an overarching long term management; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40374/17]

Transport Infrastructure Ireland Remit

Richard Boyd Barrett

458. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the plans in place to finish off the native tree planting creating native linear woodlands on land that is readily available in view of the fact that motorway planting does not appear to be co-ordinated or consistent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40375/17]

Motor Tax

Richard Boyd Barrett

522. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if a person is liable for a full month's car tax if he or she purchases a car part way through the month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40169/17]

Human Rights

Richard Boyd Barrett

15. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has been in contact with President al-Sisi with regard to the continued detainment of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39874/17]

Human Rights

Richard Boyd Barrett

21. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has been in contact with his counterparts in Europe to condemn the treatment of the Rohingya people in Myanmar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39875/17]

Rare Diseases Strategy Implementation

Richard Boyd Barrett

137. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the implementation of the National Rare Disease Plan for Ireland 2014-2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39936/17]

Long-Term Illness Scheme Coverage

Richard Boyd Barrett

138. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if he will make the PKU products from a company (details supplied) available on the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39937/17]

Hospital Charges

Richard Boyd Barrett

147. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health his views on whether it is acceptable or fair that persons suffering from haemochromatosis are being charged €80 per visit for treatment when these persons need to attend regularly for treatment and that this represents an intolerable financial burden on persons that must have this treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39966/17]

Child and Family Agency Investigations

Richard Boyd Barrett

198. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will investigate with Tusla the steps that were taken on a report in 2016 of mental, physical and sexual abuse by a person (details supplied) and other service users and staff in each of the years 2010 to 2012 at a charity; and if she will further investigate the claim that the further complaints of the person that complaints were not taken seriously or investigated adequately by the charity or Tusla. [40066/17]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Richard Boyd Barrett

4. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when Cabinet Committee D (Infrastructure) will next meet. [39619/17]

Pension Provisions

Richard Boyd Barrett

37. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will consider in budget 2018 extending the homemaker's scheme to ensure women who took time off work to raise their families will not be at a loss; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39629/17]

Jobseeker's Payments

Richard Boyd Barrett

46. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will consider in budget 2018 restoring both reduced rates of jobseeker's payments for those under 25 years of age in order that they are equal to those over 25 years of age and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39630/17]

Flood Risk Assessments

Richard Boyd Barrett

181. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if he will instruct insurance companies to reassess the risk of flooding based on the Office of Public Works flood risk maps for the area of Abberley, Killiney, County Dublin and not on outdated flood risk information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39558/17]

Credit Union Regulation

Richard Boyd Barrett

184. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that core credit unions have taken a vote to expel members who have less than €10 in their account; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39719/17]

Third Level Fees

Richard Boyd Barrett

264. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost in 2018 of abolishing all third level fees, both capitation and tuition, for under graduate and post graduate. [39791/17]

Prison Service Staff

Richard Boyd Barrett

329. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the application procedure for a prison officer post; the reason a person working in the prison service in the UK who has the relevant qualifications for the UK prison service cannot be afforded an interview here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39570/17]

Garda Vetting Applications

Richard Boyd Barrett

337. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason Garda vetting for a person (details supplied) has taken over one year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39730/17]

Property Services Regulatory Authority Remit

Richard Boyd Barrett

338. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will consider including owners' management companies under the regulation of the PSRA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39732/17]

Property Services Regulation

Richard Boyd Barrett

339. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if an owners' management company for a multi-unit development and the management agent are allowed to have the same directors and effectively be the same company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39733/17]

Mental Health Guidelines

Richard Boyd Barrett

477. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if he will provide advice in a case (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39568/17]

Disability Support Services

Richard Boyd Barrett

498. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the name of the body that inspects buildings to ascertain if their disability access is suitable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39614/17]

Services for People with Disabilities

Richard Boyd Barrett

499. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the number of replacement motorised wheelchairs that are available in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown to be used when an existing person's chair is being repaired or needs replacement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39616/17]

Hospital Charges

Richard Boyd Barrett

515. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the full year cost in 2018 of abolishing all hospital charges, both overnight and accident and emergency. [39785/17]

Health Services Data

Richard Boyd Barrett

516. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the full year cost in 2018 of providing free general practitioner care to all. [39786/17]

Health Services Funding

Richard Boyd Barrett

517. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the full year cost in 2018 of keeping health funding at its current level when taking into account wages, salaries, costs and demographic changes. [39787/17]

Health Services Expenditure

Richard Boyd Barrett

518. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the current funding in the health budget for obesity and chronic disease prevention. [39788/17]

Home Care Packages Funding

Richard Boyd Barrett

519. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the funding in the health budget for home care packages. [39789/17]

Health Services Funding

Richard Boyd Barrett

520. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the funding in the health budget for respite care and personal assistant, PA, services. [39790/17]

Medicinal Products Reimbursement

Richard Boyd Barrett

521. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if he will consider funding the drug Vimizin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39794/17]

Cycling Facilities Provision

Richard Boyd Barrett

635. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider extending the Dublin bikes scheme to St. Vincent's Hospital, Donnybrook and UCD; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39567/17]

Public Transport Subsidies

Richard Boyd Barrett

639. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost in terms of additional Government subvention to all modes of public transport, including buses, rail and trams, to enable a 50% reduction in all fares; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39679/17]

Household Benefits Scheme

Richard Boyd Barrett

710. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to replace or reinstate the telephone allowance for elderly persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39572/17]

Programme for Government Implementation

Richard Boyd Barrett

713. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of the commitments in the programme for Government in relation to improving the lives of persons with disabilities. [29820/17]

Social Welfare Offices

Richard Boyd Barrett

715. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will provide computer facilities for persons to search for jobs in the Dún Laoghaire social welfare office in view of the fact that the office has had no online facilities for persons to use since mid-2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39708/17]

Jobseeker's Allowance Data

Richard Boyd Barrett

723. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the full cost in 2018 for abolishing the reduced jobseeker's allowance rates for persons under 26 years of age. [39792/17]

Child Benefit Data

Richard Boyd Barrett

724. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the full cost in 2018 of increasing child benefit in respect of children over 12 years of age by €30. [39793/17]

Housing Assistance Payment

Richard Boyd Barrett

793. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the maximum amount a person in receipt of HAP is allowed to contribute towards rent; if this is stated in the legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39573/17]

Water Charges

Richard Boyd Barrett

794. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if a person must pay their water bill in order to purchase a local authority house through the incremental purchase scheme, in view of the fact that refunds are now being issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39580/17]

Approved Housing Bodies

Richard Boyd Barrett

797. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the policy on private tenants in situ in apartments that have been bought by a voluntary housing body when those tenants are entitled to HAP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39728/17]

Approved Housing Bodies

Richard Boyd Barrett

798. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the rights of a private tenant that is eligible for housing and housing assistance payment, HAP; and who lives in a property that has been bought by a voluntary housing body but is not paying differential rent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39729/17]

Water Services Infrastructure

Richard Boyd Barrett

799. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the proposed figures for investment in repairing and upgrading the water infrastructure over the coming three years. [39783/17]

Water Services Expenditure

Richard Boyd Barrett

800. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the estimated cost in 2018 to reduce leakages in water infrastructure from current levels to 25%. [39784/17]

Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears

Richard Boyd Barrett

120. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance the recourse available to a mortgage holder who fell into mortgage arrears during the economic downturn (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35693/17]