Parliamentary questions

Appointments to State Boards

Willie Penrose

237. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if, in respect of the appointment of the chief executive officer of any organisation, it is critical that the board would submit its approval concerning such appointment to the relevant Minister and in respect of the reappointment of the chief executive officer of Horse Racing Ireland, it was made clear that the request of ministerial sanction and consent was subject to the advice of the board of duly appointed directors signalling their agreement to such appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27943/16]

Appointments to State Boards

Willie Penrose

238. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his view on the fact that the reappointment of the chief executive officer of Horse Racing Ireland clearly breached the Government guidelines as set down by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, which specified strict time limits of the duration for time in which the CEO of a commercial semi-State body should serve; if, in the context of the reappointment of the CEO of Horse Racing Ireland, this was clearly breached in so far as at the end of this contract period, the person would have served in excess of 19 years, which is clearly not in accordance with the prescribed guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27944/16]

Family Resource Centres

Willie Penrose

280. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will confirm having received a submission from the National Forum of Family Resource Centres, seeking an adequate level of operational funding for the FRC programme which will ensure that each FRC throughout the country is funded to meet its overhead costs and has adequate staff levels to deliver the family support within the best practice guidelines for working with children and families in this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27840/16]

Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility

Willie Penrose

164. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) who urgently requires dental treatment is entitled to any assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27725/16]

Disability Allowance Applications

Willie Penrose

165. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will expedite an application for disability allowance by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27726/16]

Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Applications

Willie Penrose

233. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will take steps to ensure that an application to transfer entitlements from a father to a son (details supplied) is immediately finalised and the disadvantaged area payments which are due on foot thereof are immediately paid out to the new applicant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27763/16]

Child and Family Agency Staff

Willie Penrose

263. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of staff employed in the State agency Tusla, broken down by grade and by county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27727/16]

Illness Benefit Appeals

Willie Penrose

378. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection if an appeal has been received in the social protection appeals office against the decision of his Department not to pay a person (details supplied) illness benefit from February 2015 and only pay it from March 2016; if his Department has received all illness certificates submitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26625/16]

Carer's Allowance Payments

Willie Penrose

379. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) is being requested to pay back an amount of money to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26629/16]

Jobseeker's Allowance Eligibility

Willie Penrose

380. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) is due a refund on their social protection payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26630/16]

Flood Relief Schemes Applications

Willie Penrose

488. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the OPW has received a copy of the submission for flood relief from the Mid-Shannon Flood Relief Group; the steps being taken to deal with the ongoing serious issues that have arisen from flooding, which has caused significant flooding to residents property in and around the Shannon catchment area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26626/16]

Public Sector Staff

Willie Penrose

497. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the steps he is taking to implement the appropriate legislative changes or other which are required in order to enable persons who reach the retirement age of 65 years of age in public service jobs to continue, if they so desire, working in their places of employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26624/16]

Invasive Plant Species

Willie Penrose

517. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs to set out the number of cases of Japanese knotweed identified across all local authority areas in the country; the actions being taken at both local and national level to eradicate this dangerous weed; if a national eradication strategy is in place; the person or bodies overseeing this, if it exists; the details of the strategy; if funding has been made available to local authorities for this purpose; if she will commit funding in budget 2017 to local authorities to deal with this problem; and if research either nationally or internationally is ongoing to attempt to find a product to eradicate Japanese knotweed. [26628/16]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Willie Penrose

598. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to have a person (details supplied) admitted immediately for a procedure at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26631/16]

Hospital Appointments Status

Willie Penrose

599. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to have a person (details supplied) admitted to the Mater Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26632/16]

Ash Dieback Threat

Willie Penrose

783. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of cases of ash dieback that have been identified on an annual basis since it was originally discovered in 2006 here; the number of cases by county for the relevant years; the work that has been completed to curtail and eradicate the disease on a national basis; the financial support available for those growing ash on a commercial basis, as a sideline or as a tree of choice to provide shelter on farm land or in gardens, to remove diseased trees once discovered; his plans to eradicate this disease; his views on whether it is possible to overcome the problem; his views on whether the recent discussions on the replacement of ash by plastic for hurley making are necessary in the context of the serious situation with the increase in ash dieback nationally; and his views on whether it is the end of ash as the material of choice for the production of hurleys. [26627/16]

Property Tax Administration

Willie Penrose

150. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance the steps a person must take to register for payment of local property tax which would have to go back to the implementation of same (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24066/16]

European Globalisation Fund

Willie Penrose

249. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he will take to seek funding under the terms of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund to provide training grants and upskilling to 87 employees of a company (details supplied); if same can be applied for now without delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22196/16]

Schools Building Projects Status

Willie Penrose

307. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will take steps to ensure funding is provided for vital and necessary mechanical and electrical services for a primary school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22710/16]

Local Authority Funding

Willie Penrose

355. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if local authorities such as Westmeath County Council will be provided with an allocation of funds to enable them to purchase a house for a family with special needs or which has specific health circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22397/16]

Local Authority Housing Provision

Willie Penrose

356. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there is a regulation or directive from his Department which prevents a local authority from purchasing a home for a family in a rural area; if so, when same came into operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22424/16]

Wind Energy Generation

Willie Penrose

360. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the terms upon which a recent case (details supplied) was compromised; if, in the context, it is now accepted that local authority members should be allowed to exercise their statutory powers and duties to put in place appropriate set back distances for wind turbine developments in the local authority areas for which they have jurisdiction, for their local area plans and-or county development plans, without unlawful interference with their said powers to do so by way of illegal directions from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22447/16]

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Willie Penrose

447. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection if an appeal against the refusal of carer's allowance will be expedited in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22556/16]

Disability Allowance Appeals

Willie Penrose

448. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kildare has had their disability allowance reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22557/16]

Accident and Emergency Departments Waiting Times

Willie Penrose

601. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the severe overcrowding at the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar, County Westmeath with 38 patients on trolleys waiting for admission on 29 June 2016; if he is further aware that, notwithstanding significant investment in new emergency departments facilities, it will not contribute to a solution to the problem which arises because of a lack of additional capacity in the emergency department and inadequate bed numbers together with a lack of nursing and medical staff and if same can now be urgently addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22146/16]

Industrial Development

Willie Penrose

790. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in the context of capitalising on the significant potential of the whiskey market and in the interest of creating a level playing field for all whiskey brands to consider the establishment of a wholesale whiskey market to establish parity with the Scotch whisky market by way of allowing new entrants access to mature stock and to facilitate growth in mature whiskey brands; if a new unaged Irish whiskey category can be created to allow for Irish whiskey brands to commence retailing immediately, thus ensuring they can compete immediately on international markets with non-aged whiskey from the United States of America, Japan and India; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22895/16]

Departmental Funding

Willie Penrose

791. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to confirm receipt of an application for funding from an organisation (details supplied) which has made significant progress in the past two years and which sum is now required in order to allow it to continue to progress; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22896/16]

Inland Fisheries Ireland

Willie Penrose

802. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the steps he will take to ensure that the decision by Inland Fisheries Ireland to close a fish farm at Cullion, Mullingar, County Westmeath is reversed (details supplied); if he is aware of the impact such a decision will have upon angling clubs and anglers across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22210/16]

Disability Allowance Payments

Willie Penrose

116. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will expedite an application by a person (details supplied) under the disability allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21823/16]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Willie Penrose

196. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to have a person (details supplied) admitted to a hospital for a surgical procedure as soon as possible [21822/16]

Emergency Departments

Willie Penrose

197. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if he has received a report from the Expert Group on the Trauma Care Accident and Emergency Network which examined trauma care in the accident and emergency network; if recent reports indicating that there are nine accident and emergency departments across the country considered for rationalisation are correct; if in that context, he will ensure that such proposals are not allowed to proceed, particularly in the context of the midlands where in excess of 300,000 people living across counties Westmeath, Longford, Laois, Offaly and Kildare would be greatly affected by any such proposals which are not grounded in logic or reality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21825/16]

Animal Identification Schemes

Willie Penrose

234. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine why he is, on the tender for the supply of Bovine Identification Tags, insisting on a single supplier framework which will deny farmers the right to chose in who they give their business to upon the basis of price or quality of service; if, in that context he is concerned, that the current tender in its wording discriminates against new entrants and makes it extremely difficult for such new entrants to secure the tender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21826/16]

City and County Child Care Committees

Willie Penrose

273. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will take steps to review her Department's allocation framework for funding to county child care committees (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21824/16]

Land Issues

Willie Penrose

93. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that due to the limited availability of certificates in agriculture courses from Teagasc, the Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority, which were not adequate to accommodate the number of persons who wished to complete same in order to qualify for the stamp duty exemption for transfer of land to young farmers; that some courses only became available to persons on a part-time basis in October 2015, but which will take two years to complete, and in the context of current legislation of section 81 of the 1999 Act only permits a refund be claimed where the educational qualification is received within four years from the date of transfer, and which in effect means that some farmers will exceed the four-year period specified therein; and if this period can now be extended so that persons in the foregoing position can qualify for relief; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21502/16]

Land Issues

Willie Penrose

105. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance if he will take steps to extend the four-year period specified in section 81 of the 1999 Act which allows for the refund of stamp duty and so on if the person received the educational qualification specified within these four years in the context of where there were not significant courses available to such young farmers in order to allow them to achieve the qualification with the specified time period, which has only been recently rectified by Teagasc, the Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority, providing additional courses to allow such person acquire the certificate in agriculture qualification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21500/16]

Animal Welfare

Willie Penrose

230. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline in detail the sequence of events relating to the disposal by way of shooting of cattle on a farm (details supplied); if he will set out the protocols in terms of engagement employed in the case between the official assignee and his Department and the Department of Defence, especially in the context of the disease status of the herd and the decision to shoot the remaining animals rather than detain them in the normal way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21501/16]

Fiscal Compact Treaty

Willie Penrose

211. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance if he is reviewing the impact of the fiscal compact rules which curtail and delimit necessary capital investments and which have serious consequences in the context of the fallout of the British decision to exit the European Union; if he will ensure that such rules are amended in the context of this new scenario; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21244/16]

Library Services

Willie Penrose

295. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the steps he will take to scrap the proposal to create one single library supply tendering consortium, by way of the national library procurement plan for the whole country (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21347/16]

State Bodies

Willie Penrose

686. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether, in the context of the Government guidelines pertaining to the employment of chief executives of commercial State bodies, steps are being taken to advertise, by way of open competition, the important position of chief executive of Horseracing Ireland, as the current holder of the position has already served 14 years as chief executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20892/16]

Agriculture Scheme Appeals

Willie Penrose

687. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline his plans to review the operation of the inspection system and agricultural appeals office in the context of a recent case (details supplied) which found the inspection system employed was procedurally flawed; the number of such decisions and appeals that will be affected by this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20893/16]

Agrifood Sector

Willie Penrose

272. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is concerned at the recent survey by Bord Bia which found that some 40% of Irish food and drink exporters expect their sales to decline in the wake of the British exit from the European Union; his contingency plans to mitigate the effects of this on the agrifood sector, given that Irish food and drink exports to the United Kingdom accounted for 41% of total exports in 2015, valued at €4.4 billion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20317/16]

Food Security

Willie Penrose

273. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will urgently conduct a national food security review with clear timelines on the implementation of a national food security strategy until 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20318/16]

Horticulture Sector

Willie Penrose

274. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is considering providing funding for the Horticulture Industry Forum, given that this important sector does not receive funding to a level commensurate with the other sectors in agriculture and the need to develop education and research; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20319/16]

Horticulture Sector

Willie Penrose

275. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has considered proposals to give special status to the horticulture sector in order to encourage the development of this vital sector of agriculture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20320/16]

Retail Sector

Willie Penrose

276. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is considering measures to examine the issue of near-cost or below-cost selling of food produce; if he has examined how other states such as Germany and the United Kingdom tackle this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20321/16]

Enterprise Ireland Funding

Willie Penrose

319. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the status of an application by an organisation (details supplied) for grant assistance; if she will provide funding for this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20224/16]

Job Losses

Willie Penrose

252. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the steps she will take to deal with the significant fall-out for 87 employees and their families with the announcement by a company (details supplied) of ceasing production of cigarette rolls from October 2016 which arises from the implementation of an EU directive which limits the manufacture of cigarettes below 30 grammes which has led to a serious reduction in the production line capacity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19919/16]

Credit Union Lending

Willie Penrose

148. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance when he will extend the pilot scheme for micro-finance, which was set up in November 2015 with 30 credit unions involved and which was restricted to cash social protection customers who would repay the loan via the HB system which had a 97% satisfaction rate as confirmed by customers, to all social protection persons and families on low-incomes and roll it out to all credit unions, this being dependant upon the agreement of the Central Bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19705/16]

Credit Union Services

Willie Penrose

149. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance when the Central Bank will authorise credit unions to deploy automatic teller machines and credit and debt card facilities, given that this has been subject to evaluation and assessment for up to four years in consultation with the Central Bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19707/16]

School Accommodation Provision

Willie Penrose

228. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he is taking to provide accommodation to facilitate a school (details supplied) which has been upgraded and granted a fourth teacher with effect from September 2016, given that it is urgent to have this matter sorted without delay as the installation of a portacabin will take time and effort in order to have it ready of the academic year in September 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19788/16]

Credit Availability

Willie Penrose

315. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will extend the pilot microfinance scheme, which was launched in November 2015 and operated by 30 credit unions, to the other 300 credit unions given its widespread success and satisfaction rate; if he will extend it to social protection customers, not just those who get paid in cash, and to persons and families on low incomes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19690/16]

Heritage Sites

Willie Penrose

411. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to outline the status of progress concerning the designation of The Hill of Uisneach in Killare, County Westmeath as a United Nations educational scientific and cultural organisation world heritage Site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19785/16]

Medicinal Products Availability

Willie Penrose

461. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health when the Ampligen drug will be available here given there are persons awaiting its approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19174/16]

Hospital Procedures

Willie Penrose

551. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to have a person (details supplied) admitted immediately for a procedure at Tallaght hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19519/16]

Sports Capital Programme

Willie Penrose

647. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he will announce a sports capital programme so as to enable clubs and organisations to apply for funding to upgrade and refurbish their facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19789/16]

Child Care Services Funding

Willie Penrose

693. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will take steps to reverse the 26% cut in the financial allocation from €316,797 in 2010 to €241,000 in 2016 to Westmeath County Childcare Committee Limited, which has led to a serious position for the delivery of services and support for children and families in the county, where in excess of 4,000 children are attending a range of such services; if, in this context, she will immediately provide increased supports and resources to this committee to enable it to continue its vital work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19706/16]

Schools Building Projects Status

Willie Penrose

99. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills to allow a school (details supplied) which has completed the stage 2(b) (detailed design) process to proceed to stage 3 tender action as this school was included in the school building projects as part of their five year plan 2012 to 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18908/16]

Hospital Consultant Recruitment

Willie Penrose

230. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to secure a pancreatic surgeon to replace the former surgeon who was involved in this vital area and if such an appointment is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19048/16]

Tax Code

Willie Penrose

73. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance if a person (details supplied) is due a refund of tax payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18647/16]

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Willie Penrose

128. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18645/16]

Jobseeker's Allowance Applications

Willie Penrose

129. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the jobseeker's allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18646/16]

Invalidity Pension Applications

Willie Penrose

134. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the invalidity pension scheme; if same will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18789/16]

Library Services

Willie Penrose

201. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will suspend any proposals to amalgamate library services across county boundaries leading to a centralisation of management, with a significant negative impact for localities and where no cost-benefit analysis of such proposals has been produced to date; and if he will engage in a comprehensive way with the trade union representatives to explore worthy alternatives to these proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18240/16]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Willie Penrose

312. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme; if he will expedite it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18544/16]

Greyhound Industry

Willie Penrose

482. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the inquiry under the chairmanship of a person (details supplied) into the alleged misuse of prohibited substances in the greyhound industry; when the report will be finalised and published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18345/16]

Redundancy Payments

Willie Penrose

159. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the position of an employee, whose employment was terminated due to the business not being able to discharge wages due, and where this business has now closed permanently, and is insolvent, and whereby the employees are seeking redundancies, pursuant to the insolvency fund, and where a delay arises in furnishing the necessary documentation from the employer to prove the insolvency situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17783/16]

General Medical Services Scheme

Willie Penrose

243. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that persons (details supplied) who are the holders of a medical card and who wish to transfer to a doctor in the vicinity of where they now reside are allowed to do so because of the unusual circumstances in which they find themselves (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17785/16]

Herd Data

Willie Penrose

278. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he will take to ensure that a herd number is issued to a person (details supplied) without further delay in order to allow their farming activities to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17784/16]

Schools Building Projects Status

Willie Penrose

130. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will ensure the capital allocation required by a school (details supplied); if same can now be permitted to go to construction without any further delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17569/16]

Teachers' Remuneration

Willie Penrose

131. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on issues regarding teachers recruited post-2011 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17570/16]

Wind Energy Guidelines

Willie Penrose

267. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in the context of the consultation process, concerning Wind Energy Development Guidelines 2006, and the revision that was embarked upon, which involved public consultation, if he is aware that best international practice has moved on significantly since November 2013, with the most recent example being the recommendation of a 2 km setback by the Polish National Institute of Public Health on 8 March 2016, and the judgment by the Constitutional Court of Bavaria on 9 March 2016, upholding the Bavarian State setback rule of ten times tip height that has been in force since 2014; if he will take steps to issue fresh draft guidelines that reflect best international practice, as enforced by colleague European countries, which would necessitate undertaking the public consultation process, and then enacting enabling legislation, in order that the public can have confidence that the issue has been dealt with, in a fair and transparent manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17307/16]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Willie Penrose

158. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a refund for a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16578/16]

Invalidity Pension Applications

Willie Penrose

159. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the invalidity pension scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16580/16]

Carer's Allowance Payments

Willie Penrose

160. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will reinstate the payment to a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme, given the new information provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16581/16]

Jobseeker's Allowance Eligibility

Willie Penrose

161. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) will qualify under the jobseeker's allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16582/16]

Respite Care Grant Eligibility

Willie Penrose

162. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) who was being cared for by a person who was in receipt of a payment under the carer's allowance is entitled to a payment under the respite care grant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16583/16]

Medical Card Eligibility

Willie Penrose

205. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the eligibility criteria that will apply in the context of a person who currently holds a medical card because of serious illness that requires ongoing and continuous medical treatment (details supplied) but who is about to receive a personal injuries award that arises from negligent treatment and diagnosis; how the receipt of such compensation would impact upon this person’s eligibility to retain a medical card where the level, nature and extent of the treatment warranted to deal with the medical condition will continue to increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16414/16]

Hospital Appointments Status

Willie Penrose

221. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16576/16]

Defined Benefit Pension Schemes

Willie Penrose

163. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to ensure the Central Remedial Clinic's plan for employees is reinstated until such time as he has conducted a comprehensive investigation and assessment of all matters pertaining to the clinic up to its closure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16150/16]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Willie Penrose

314. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will expedite an application by a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15723/16]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Review

Willie Penrose

481. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health when the review of the nursing home support, fair deal, scheme will be finalised; when the outcome of same will be revealed to the general public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16030/16]

Afforestation Programme

Willie Penrose

526. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the appropriate grant aid and finance will be available to allow persons who have been approved for participation in the new afforestation scheme, which permits them to plant small areas of land for forestry purposes, will be made available to those who have had approval for same, as it appears that the provision of finance for the scheme is an issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16028/16]

UK Referendum on EU Membership

Willie Penrose

48. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has assessed the effects of a British exit from the European Union on the food and agriculture industry, his progress in developing potential trade arrangements and minimising the disruption and negative impact on Irish producers and consumers; and the options for agriculture and the agrifood sector, given the extensive trade links between the two economies and the role of the European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy. [14854/16]

Legislative Programme

Willie Penrose

113. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions and Certain Disclosures) Bill, which was before the Houses of the Oireachtas in February 2016; the important issues addressed therein; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14696/16]

Commercial Rates Valuation Process

Willie Penrose

259. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if she will consider reform of the rateable valuation system, with a view to modernising same, so as to ensure that any referred system provides for appropriate valuations rates reductions and abatements, particularly where new businesses are starting up, and where same are located in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14534/16]

Departmental Correspondence

Willie Penrose

301. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps he will take not to allow any further communiques to issue from his Department exhorting jobseekers to use financial institutions rather than post offices to collect their payments (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14544/16]

Basic Payment Scheme Payments

Willie Penrose

553. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm that a person (details supplied) has applied before the deadline for basic farm entitlements pursuant to the Scottish derogation provisions from the national reserve, if he will further confirm that they have been awarded their entitlements pursuant to the said provisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14659/16]

Road Projects

Willie Penrose

627. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will take steps to ensure that the necessary funding to enable the N4 realignment project between counties Westmeath and Longford to proceed is allocated, as the route corridor has been identified, necessitating a decision he made on the emerging preferred route, without further delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14552/16]

Children and Young People’s Policy Framework

Willie Penrose

678. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps he will take pursuant to the programme for Government to implement the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2014-2020, Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures; the objectives of the National Youth Strategy 2015-2020; to reverse the reductions in financial support afforded to various organisations which are dedicated to enabling and empowering young persons to realise their full potential such as Scouting Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14595/16]

Home Care Packages Provision

Willie Penrose

89. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that there will be no reduction in home help and home care packages for elderly persons and persons with a disability in 2016; the total funding available for home help and home care packages; and if there is a funding shortfall within the Health Service Executive for the provision of these vital supports. [13735/16]

Health Services Staff Recruitment

Willie Penrose

95. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive has suspended recruitment of doctors, nurses and midwives in hospitals until further notice, given the significant number of vacant posts across the health system; if so, when the moratorium will be lifted; and the levels of additional recruitment across all sectors of the Health Service Executive he expects in 2016. [13734/16]

Domiciliary Care Allowance Applications

Willie Penrose

209. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied) under the domiciliary care allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14168/16]

Disability Allowance Applications

Willie Penrose

210. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied) under the disability allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14169/16]

Disability Allowance Payments

Willie Penrose

211. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied) under the disability allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14170/16]

Basic Payment Scheme Applications

Willie Penrose

282. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will take steps to address and rectify the issues referred to in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14182/16]

Agriculture Scheme Payments

Willie Penrose

283. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) will receive payments under the basic payment scheme for the past number of years; payments under the areas of natural constraint and disadvantaged areas schemes for 2014 and 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14183/16]

Property Tax

Willie Penrose

119. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider issuing directions to local authorities to provide a small portion of the local property tax to estates which have been taken in charge and have their own established residents associations, so as to facilitate them in maintaining open spaces, landscaping, grass cutting and other decorative works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13871/16]

Carer's Allowance Delays

Willie Penrose

126. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps he will take to expedite an application by a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13870/16]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Willie Penrose

173. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health how he will ensure a person (details supplied) is admitted to a hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13867/16]

HSE Staff

Willie Penrose

174. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health his proposals to enable persons employed by the Health Service Executive at clerical officer and other grades to continue employment beyond 65 years of age if they so desire; if he is considering amending the statutory framework to allow persons who express this desire to do so, particularly in the context of other changes in recent years in the welfare area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13868/16]