Parliamentary questions

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments

Seán Kyne

351. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a payment under the areas of natural constraint scheme will be made to a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36116/15]

Tax Exemptions

Seán Kyne

69. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Finance if a voluntary community organisation is entitled to refund or exemption of vehicle registration tax under the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concession) Regulations 1994; if there have been any recent policy changes in respect of this exemption; and the steps an organisation should take if problems are encountered with the Revenue Commissioners. [35786/15]

Office of Public Works Staff

Seán Kyne

79. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a recruitment campaign for tour guides at heritage sites managed by the Office of Public Works is planned; if such a campaign will take into account the experience and years of service of tour guides; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35782/15]

Public Service Reform Plan Update

Seán Kyne

80. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress of the e-Government Strategy 2012 to 2015; and if work has commenced on a new strategy. [35783/15]

Public Services Provision

Seán Kyne

81. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress in redesigning the www.gov.ie website to make it more accessible and user-friendly, and to ensure its compatibility with the latest technologies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35784/15]

State Properties

Seán Kyne

82. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the report on the property management action plan published by the Office of Public Works in July 2013, with particular reference to the mapping register which shows core data on all State property, and also to the optimising power at work initiative. [35785/15]

Taxi Regulations

Seán Kyne

461. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport regarding obtaining a hackney licence in each of the past five years, the number of persons who have taken the area familiarisation tests and who have passed; if he will provide the average number of times it takes to pass the test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35491/15]

Defence Forces Records

Seán Kyne

6. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on the progress of the recruitment campaign for the Defence Forces; and how he envisages this will impact their regional structures. [34384/15]

Overseas Missions

Seán Kyne

29. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on the role the Defence Forces are playing in the migrant crisis in the Mediterranean; and his future plans for this role. [34385/15]

GLAS Data

Seán Kyne

29. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide up-to-date figures for applications under the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme, with particular reference to counties Galway and Mayo; and how commonage plans as part of the scheme are progressing. [34202/15]

Garda Operations

Seán Kyne

121. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the procedures within An Garda Síochána for handling and transporting blasting gelignite; if An Garda Síochána is routinely available to police blasting procedures, or if the blasting procedures are fraught with delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34882/15]

Springboard Programme

Seán Kyne

166. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of Springboard places, by year, since its launch; the average take-up rate of the courses; the number of specific courses available and availed of, in County Galway. [34883/15]

School Curriculum

Seán Kyne

126. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Skills in the context of the reform of the junior certificate, the changes that are planned for the Irish language curriculum with particular reference to the spoken language elements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33953/15]

School Accommodation Provision

Seán Kyne

158. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress of her Department's pre-fabricated replacement scheme if she will provide a list of the number of schools which have benefitted nationally, and also in counties Galway and Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33952/15]

Departmental Expenditure

Seán Kyne

294. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide, in tabular form, a detailed breakdown of the costs of implementing the Lansdowne Road agreement in each Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34100/15]

Departmental Expenditure

Seán Kyne

303. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the estimated running costs for each Department in 2015 compared to the year 2010; if savings have been made; the origin of such savings, such as administrative savings and reduction in head count; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34340/15]

Visa Data

Seán Kyne

436. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if there has been a recent policy change concerning the naturalisation and immigration service's policy toward retirees from outside the European Union, including the replacement of a Stamp 3 with a Stamp 0; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34506/15]

Health Services Provision

Seán Kyne

552. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the status of the heart failure programme; the further updates that are available on the Health Service Executive's website; if the very positive elements contained in the programme will be extended nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34507/15]

Drainage Schemes Status

Seán Kyne

6. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform , in light of the provision of funding in his departmental budget, if the River Clare drainage scheme will be proceeding, given the necessity of the works for this region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33328/15]

Open Government Partnership

Seán Kyne

19. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will report on the implementation of Ireland's first Open Government Partnership national action plan across the three main areas of promoting open data and transparency, building citizen participation and strengthening governance and accountability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33327/15]

Public Transport

Seán Kyne

173. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason there are no scheduled bus routes using the Quincentenary Bridge over the Corrib river in Galway city, given the number of persons who reside to the west of the city but who work to the east of the city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33589/15]

Public Transport

Seán Kyne

174. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to introduce or enhance city bus services to serve population centres such as Barna, Moycullen, Claregalway and Oranmore in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33590/15]

Tax Relief Abolition

Seán Kyne

130. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Finance in the context of the increasing cost of private rented accommodation, if he will consider reviewing the decision to phase out the tax relief scheme by 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33011/15]

Construction Sector Strategy

Seán Kyne

149. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider temporarily reducing or removing tax liabilities concerning the construction of new homes, as a measure to stimulate increased construction, but also in a manner which would assist first-time buyers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33010/15]

JobPath Implementation

Seán Kyne

217. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her views on the operation of JobPath; the number of participants nationally; the number in counties Dublin, Galway and Mayo since its introduction in 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33375/15]

Public Services Card Data

Seán Kyne

218. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection in the context of reorganising her Department, the number of locations that are processing the public services card; the number of persons nationally and in counties Galway and Mayo who have been furnished with the new card since its introduction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33376/15]

Cycling Facilities Provision

Seán Kyne

629. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of his recent announcement concerning the extension of the Galway bikes scheme, if he will provide the usage statistics for each docking station, per month, to date in 2015; the data on the point to point journeys from each station; the number of persons who have joined the scheme; and the number of temporary passes that have been issued, per month, to date in 2015. [33377/15]

Arts Council

Seán Kyne

647. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the steps she will take given the recent publication of the comprehensive value for money report on the Arts Council and arts funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33431/15]

Seirbhísí Aeir Fóirdheonaithe

Seán Kyne

15. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Seán Kyne den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta tar éis an chruinnithe speisialta de Chomhairle Contae na Gaillimhe a bhí ann Dé Céadaoin, an 23 Meán Fómhair, céard iad na chéad chéimeanna eile atá le tógáil; an dtabharfaidh sí soiléiriú ar úsáid na háise aerfoirt ag an gCarn Mór, Gaillimh; agus céard iad na himpleachtaí do na tairiscintí a fhaightear faoin Oibleagáid Seirbhíse Poiblí maidir leis an aersheirbhís chuig Oileáin Árann. [32191/15]

Archaeological Sites

Seán Kyne

39. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the progress of the archaeological investigation into lands near Annaghdown Priory, County Galway, which it is hoped may be used for the expansion of Annaghdown Cemetery which is at capacity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32190/15]

National Roads Authority Projects

Seán Kyne

32. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in consideration of the welcome allocation of €4 million in funding this year, the reason for the delays in upgrading and realigning the N59 between Oughterard and Maam Cross; and if he will outline the level of consultation he has had with the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the National Roads Authority. [31924/15]

Public Transport

Seán Kyne

37. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the report on Transitioning to a Wheelchair Accessible Licensed Bus Sector; if it has been published; and if he has an indicative timeframe for consideration of the report's recommendations. [31923/15]

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Seán Kyne

102. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the status of the national broadband plan; the level of engagement between his Department and private telecommunications operators with regard to those companies' plans for broadband, particularly in rural locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31757/15]

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Seán Kyne

116. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the current status of the decision with regard to the ownership of the new network to be created under the national broadband plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31758/15]

Tax Code

Seán Kyne

388. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Finance his views on the impact which limitations placed on tax reduction measures in the previous and other budgets can have on job creation and in creating a culture which may not reward initiative and work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32234/15]

Financial Services Sector

Seán Kyne

390. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Finance the status of the plans for a standard bank account and the possible use of the post office network for same, given that both are important for social inclusion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32248/15]

Public Procurement Regulations

Seán Kyne

441. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the measures in place to ensure the Office of Government Procurement has the use of local knowledge and experience, for example, but not limited to, the availability of an airport for aviation services, which are at times central to the successful tendering of often crucial public services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32233/15]

Flood Relief Schemes Status

Seán Kyne

442. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the flood defence works in the Claregalway region given the legal difficulties regarding an EU directive which necessitates further environmental impact statements and has delayed the works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32254/15]

Action Plan for Jobs

Seán Kyne

465. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when it is envisaged the regional action plan for jobs for the west will be launched; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32321/15]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Seán Kyne

1137. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce punitive measures on health facilities which are not meeting waiting list reduction targets; the way in which such financial measures will not impact on front-line services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32235/15]

Industrial Disputes

Seán Kyne

1141. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health the steps he and his Department are taking to resolve the industrial dispute that has arisen concerning non-payment for anti-social hours, also known as twilight hours, worked by social workers in the west; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32247/15]

Hospital Charges

Seán Kyne

1142. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been or will be given to the use of the post office as a means through which payment could be made for hospital charges such as accident and emergency department charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32251/15]

Special Educational Needs Staff

Seán Kyne

1349. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of special needs assistants working in schools at both primary and secondary level in counties Galway and Mayo at the beginning of September for each of the years 2009 to 2015 inclusive. [32223/15]

Special Educational Needs Staff

Seán Kyne

1350. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of resource teaching hours in schools at both primary and secondary level in counties Galway and Mayo at the beginning of September for each of the years 2009 to 2015 inclusive. [32224/15]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Seán Kyne

1351. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Skills with reference to the piloting of a new system of allocating special educational resources, the assessment and review process that will be undertaken in the evaluation of the new system; the role schools and teachers will play in the evaluation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32225/15]

Post Office Network

Seán Kyne

1561. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he and his Department are considering the use of the post office network for the proposed standard bank account; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32249/15]

Road Safety

Seán Kyne

1585. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the possible introduction of speed awareness courses for first time offenders; if primary legislation will be necessary or if the measures could be achieved through regulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32317/15]

Community Involvement Scheme

Seán Kyne

1666. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the operation of community involvement schemes in counties Galway and Mayo; his plans to retain or expand the initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32222/15]

Legislative Measures

Seán Kyne

1667. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the stage the implementation of the regulation of vehicle immobilisation legislation has reached in terms of implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32250/15]

Tourist Accommodation

Seán Kyne

1668. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport regarding the issue of the regulation of bed and breakfasts, the measures in place to recognise the operators who register, given the importance of registration in ensuring standards and in maintaining the good reputation of tourist accommodation here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32252/15]