Parliamentary questions

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Willie Penrose

453. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a carer's allowance appeal by a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22416/19]

Legislative Reviews

Willie Penrose

471. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to update the Civil Registration Act 2004; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22706/19]

Foreign Birth Registration

Willie Penrose

82. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if an application for foreign birth registration by a person (details supplied) was received; if so, if same will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22133/19]

Agriculture Industry

Willie Penrose

487. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a request for support and exceptional aid has been made to the European Commission in the context of additional funding being required to address the significant crisis for farmers; if so, the measures sought in the request; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21686/19]

Electronic Tagging

Willie Penrose

488. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if plans have been put in place to have all the necessary EID readers in situ in marts and factories in time for the mandatory electronic identification process on 1 June 2019, in view of the fact that it has been mandatory for sheep farmers to purchase EID tags since October 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21687/19]

Electronic Tagging

Willie Penrose

489. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an assurance can be provided for farmers that as and from 1 June 2019, all of the sheep that pass through marts and factories will be read electronically and digital printouts will be made available to farmers as a matter of course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21688/19]

Beef Industry

Willie Penrose

490. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration will be given to seeking protected geographical indication status exclusively for suckler beef rather than the entire herd, enabling suckler beef to be sold as a premium product; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21689/19]

Hospital Appointments Status

Willie Penrose

126. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if an orthopaedic procedure will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21285/19]

Disability Services Funding

Willie Penrose

127. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to address the serious financial difficulty being experienced by RehabCare; his plans to ensure that the necessary additional funding will be put in place to enable these services to be provided to persons that use and need same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21286/19]

Residency Permits

Willie Penrose

134. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding an application for leave to remain by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21139/19]

Residency Permits

Willie Penrose

135. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if an application by a person (details supplied) to remain here as a spouse of an Irish national will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21141/19]

Disease Management

Willie Penrose

166. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the health services available to persons who have been definitively diagnosed with Lyme disease; if weekly ECG tests and blood tests every two weeks are available to such persons who need continuous assessment and treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20984/19]

TAMS Appeals

Willie Penrose

227. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a TAMS grant applied for by a person (details supplied); the position in which the appeal lodged is within the appeals system; if same can be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20983/19]

State Pension (Contributory)

Willie Penrose

256. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a review of pension entitlements has been conducted in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20981/19]

Water and Sewerage Schemes Status

Willie Penrose

267. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he has received an application regarding the group sewerage scheme for an area (details supplied) from Westmeath County Council; and if so, when same will be approved. [21140/19]

Digital Strategy for Schools

Willie Penrose

39. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills his policy in respect of the use of laptops in schools and the cost of laptops to parents particularly during secondary education years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19834/19]

Public Sector Pay

Willie Penrose

21. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans in respect of outstanding public sector pay restoration; his further plans for public sector dialogue between workers, trade unions and his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18022/19]

Workplace Relations Commission

Willie Penrose

147. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the steps she will take to address the significant delay that has arisen in the issuing of recommendations of the Workplace Relations Commission following unfair dismissals hearings, whereby there is at least a three month delay in terms of the recommendations and determinations that are due on foot of such hearings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18359/19]

Community Banking

Willie Penrose

76. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance his plans to support a public banking scheme based on the Sparkasse model due to the continued difficulties in lending volumes to SMEs, particularly in rural areas and the high interest rates charged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15648/19]

Approved Housing Bodies

Willie Penrose

222. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if funding remains in place for a house building project by an organisation (details supplied) at a location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17092/19]

Wild Fires

Willie Penrose

7. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to carry out an evaluation of the damage and cost incurred as a consequence of fires that resulted from her extension of the most recent burning season in respect of gorse; her further plans to carry out an evaluation of the destruction of habitats of flora, fauna and wildlife as a consequence of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16718/19]

Arts Council

Willie Penrose

15. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when the arrangements to appoint a new chair to the Arts Council of Ireland will be completed; the number of other vacancies on the council; and when she plans to fill same. [16717/19]

University Status Applications

Willie Penrose

67. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of plans for university status to be conferred on institutes of technology and in particular upon Athlone Institute of Technology; the timescale envisaged for such development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16788/19]

Energy Schemes

Willie Penrose

155. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if grant aid is available for the installation of a wood pellet burning stove (details supplied) under the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, SEAI, grant schemes or other schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16790/19]

Railway Stations Upgrade

Willie Penrose

188. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if European regional funding will be available under rural community funds or under the BMW regional fund to enable refurbishment works be carried out at the railway station at Thomastown, Killucan, County Westmeath to enable it to be reopened to facilitate the passengers who wish to utilise the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16789/19]

Army Barracks

Willie Penrose

135. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if in the context of a further organisational review of Defence Forces facilities and the utilisation thereof, it is planned to reopen Columb Barracks, Mullingar, for troop deployments and accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16661/19]

Hospitals Capital Programme

Willie Penrose

462. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the capital expenditure planned for the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar in relation to the necessary upgrading and refurbishment that is set out to include the provision of new theatres and ancillary services and additional staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16659/19]

Social Welfare Benefits Payments

Willie Penrose

605. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the prime measure of inflation her Department uses to assess or examine the cost of living increases in respect of social welfare payments; the rates of inflation used by her Department over the past ten years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16660/19]

Transfer of Entitlements

Willie Penrose

259. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address the issues raised in correspondence (details supplied); if same will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15777/19]

State Pension (Contributory)

Willie Penrose

325. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person (details supplied) is entitled to a review of their pension payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15761/19]

Local Authority Staff

Willie Penrose

57. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he has met with local authority broadband officers since his appointment; and the local authorities he has met with on the issue of broadband provision. [3372/19]

Schools Building Projects Status

Willie Penrose

201. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the situation in relation to the provision of a secondary school in Kinnegad, County Westmeath will be examined particularly in the context of a significantly increased population in the area and its environs and which was considered as part of the original M4 study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15434/19]

Medical Card Applications

Willie Penrose

115. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) has had a medical card reissued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14584/19]

Medical Card Applications

Willie Penrose

131. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) has had a medical card reissued; the status of the medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14627/19]

Marine Safety

Willie Penrose

150. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the €1.5 million development at a college (details supplied) in County Donegal will be approved for construction in view of the fact that the project is ready to proceed to construction; the status of the sea survival training unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14721/19]

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Willie Penrose

202. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when an appeal hearing will be held in respect of a person (details supplied); if same will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14628/19]

Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Payments

Willie Penrose

222. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if payment will issue to a person (details supplied) who made an application for compensation under the cessation of turf cutting scheme in 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14629/19]

Bovine Disease Controls

Willie Penrose

64. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether the role of deer in the spread of tuberculosis needs to be taken seriously and investigated in a comprehensive scientific manner. [13961/19]

Beef Industry

Willie Penrose

75. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether, regardless of events in the House of Commons, the beef sector has already taken a massive hit from Brexit; the way in which he plans to resurrect the sector before irreversible damage is done to same; and the steps that will be taken to save the sector in the event of a Brexit extension leading to a stalemate scenario with ongoing instability. [13960/19]

Animal Identification Schemes

Willie Penrose

88. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to ensure marts and factories will be required to install EID electronic tag readers for sheep in order to eliminate unnecessary paperwork for farmers and assist them with keeping accurate records; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13962/19]

Tuberculosis Eradication Programme

Willie Penrose

91. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the concerns of farmers are being taken seriously regarding herd devaluation, compensation and the role of deer in the spread of tuberculosis at the bovine TB stakeholders forum. [13964/19]

Beef Industry

Willie Penrose

101. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether Ireland should prioritise protected geographical indication status for suckler beef in order that it could be marketed as a niche speciality product rather than making a generic application for all Irish beef. [13963/19]

Commencement of Legislation

Willie Penrose

428. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015, excluding Part 8, will be fully implemented and all sections enacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12911/19]

Assisted Decision Making

Willie Penrose

638. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health when Part 8 of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 will be fully implemented and all sections enacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12911/19]

Greyhound Industry

Willie Penrose

968. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to a report (details supplied); his views on whether the Greyhound Racing Bill 2018 currently before Dáil Éireann will deal with the regulatory issues therein; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12908/19]

Tenant Purchase Scheme

Willie Penrose

1410. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the way in which a couple with a tenancy of more than 20 years can participate in the tenant purchase scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13525/19]

Mobility Allowance Eligibility

Willie Penrose

49. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide a mobility allowance or similar supports to those in receipt of a disability allowance and other related payments. [8113/19]

Garda Transport Data

Willie Penrose

169. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda public order vans attached to the Westmeath division as of 1 March 2018 and 1 March 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12693/19]

Legislative Reviews

Willie Penrose

176. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to update the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12691/19]

Trade Missions

Willie Penrose

277. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans for a food-related trade mission to Korea and Japan later in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12690/19]

State Bodies Data

Willie Penrose

368. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of vacancies in each State board under the remit of her Department in tabular form; the length of time each position has been vacant; and the reason for the failure to fill the vacancy in each case. [12692/19]

Voluntary Sector Funding

Willie Penrose

624. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the recommendations of the report Developing Funding Criteria for Volunteer Centres in Ireland will be implemented (details supplied); the options being considered; the timescale in which these decisions will be reached; if the necessary funding will be granted to services such as those in counties Westmeath and Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12042/19]

Small and Medium Enterprises Supports

Willie Penrose

675. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the impact the abolition of training rates is having upon small businesses that are under pressure due to significant rates of VAT, PRSI, rates and other costs in their attempt to employ young persons as an apprentice; if training grants will restored in such circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12041/19]

Abbey Theatre

Willie Penrose

20. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding certain subjects being taught by the one teacher across multiple schools further to recent reports; the subjects that are in particular demand; the teacher unions and representatives of teachers which have been consulted on these proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10877/19]

Public Sector Pay

Willie Penrose

58. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to review public service pay in view of the recently agreed deal with nurses; his further plans to open pay negotiations with trade unions and other social partners; if so, when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10640/19]

Pension Provisions

Willie Penrose

69. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans in respect of outstanding pension restorations that resulted as a consequence of reduction in pensions during the economic crisis; when pension reductions in respect of public sector workers with pension of under €35,000, under €70,000 and above €70,000, respectively, will be restored in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9970/19]

Public Sector Pay

Willie Penrose

165. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to consult with public sector unions in respect of public pay negotiations; if the recent negotiations with nurses will have a knock-on implication for other employees in the Civil Service; if so, the likely implications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9969/19]

Medicinal Products Reimbursement

Willie Penrose

142. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health when the Spinraza treatment will be made available to SMA suffers in view of the fact it is the only treatment available for this condition and it has been approved for funding across Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9951/19]

Social Insurance Rates

Willie Penrose

597. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position in relation to a teacher in circumstances (details supplied); if such persons who commenced in 1991 are not allowed to change their PRSI contributions and opt for a class A contribution; if so, if the person was to resign their post before 56 years of age and move to the private sector by which they would be compelled to pay a class A contribution would this then qualify them for a percentage of their current pension and the State pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9708/19]

Creative Ireland Programme

Willie Penrose

43. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the levels of Creative Ireland funding that is designated for supporting DEIS schools in 2017, 2018 and to date in 2019, in tabular form, by county; and the amount each DEIS school is receiving. [8692/19]

National Orchestras

Willie Penrose

51. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the contact she and her officials have had with members and representatives of the RTÉ Concert Orchestra; if members and representatives of musicians in these orchestras have been included in the working parties examining the potential transfer of the orchestras to the National Concert Hall; the progress made in this regard; and the stage plans are at to upgrade the National Concert Hall. [8693/19]

Schools Building Projects Status

Willie Penrose

84. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is satisfied with progress in relation to the completion of a school (details supplied); when the new school build will be ready to hand over to the school authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8834/19]

Railway Stations

Willie Penrose

173. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when a commitment given in September 2016 in Dáil Éireann to visit a railway station (details supplied) in County Westmeath to discuss possible ways and avenues of reopening same will be honoured; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8893/19]

Community Employment Schemes Supervisors

Willie Penrose

48. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to provide community employment supervisors with access to the same working entitlements as provided to public servants following the implementation of the Public Service Superannuation (Age of Retirement) Act 2018; if those who wish to continue to work will be permitted to do so; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8176/19]

State Pension (Contributory)

Willie Penrose

100. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when pension increases and back payments will be issued to those impacted by previous changes to the State pension system; her plans to address the difficulties being experienced by those affected by the website MyWelfare.ie; when paper application forms inviting pensioners to fill in gaps in their records will be available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8115/19]

Carer's Allowance Delays

Willie Penrose

102. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the steps being taken to fast-track applications for payment of a carer's allowance to new applicants in view of the fact that the need for the payment for those applying is immediate while the process for receiving access can be lengthy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8112/19]

Defined Benefit Pension Schemes

Willie Penrose

108. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of her plans to protect defined benefit pension schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8114/19]

Hospital Appointments Status

Willie Penrose

446. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be admitted to have an operation carried out at the Midland Hospital, Tullamore; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8402/19]

Tax Reliefs Availability

Willie Penrose

34. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance if he has considered the need for special tax incentives to allow small businesses to establish in areas outside of the main cities. [52144/18]

Insurance Costs

Willie Penrose

76. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance the steps he will take to accelerate the insurance reform programme in view of the significant damage that spiralling insurance costs are causing for community groups, voluntary organisations, charities and small businesses; the reason such perceived exorbitant premiums are being sought; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7383/19]

Public Sector Staff Recruitment

Willie Penrose

86. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress made to date in terms of appointments from the panels of competitions held for clerical officer in the Civil Service in 2018; when persons who have participated in the stage 3 of the selection process and are well placed on the panels for appointment on the counties Longford and Westmeath panels are likely to be reached in 2019; the number of persons recruited from these competitions in counties Longford or Westmeath to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7382/19]

Rural Regeneration and Development Fund

Willie Penrose

209. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when an application for aid pursuant to the urban and rural development fund from Westmeath County Council in respect of a project at Kinnegad, County Westmeath, will be finalised; when a decision will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7384/19]

Rural Regeneration and Development Fund

Willie Penrose

210. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when an application for aid pursuant to the urban and rural development fund from Westmeath County Council in respect of a project at Castlepollard, County Westmeath, will be finalised; when a decision will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7385/19]

Carer's Allowance Payments

Willie Penrose

254. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a carer's allowance payment for the 12-week period after the death of the carer will issue to a person (details supplied); if the matter will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6181/19]

Teachers' Remuneration

Willie Penrose

263. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason lower paid teachers, qualified post-2012 and working in a non-casual substitute position that do not get paid for holidays and so on, had incorrect tax deductions made to their salaries before Christmas 2018 and despite protestations, his Department has failed to rectify the position (details supplied); the steps he will take to refund all moneys due to these teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5700/19]

Work Permits Applications

Willie Penrose

309. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Question No. 289 of 29 January 2019, the steps she will take to have the application for general employment work permit assessed pursuant to the trusted partners programme and have same expedited due to the importance of the matter to the business (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5696/19]

CLÁR Programme

Willie Penrose

590. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the eligibility criteria for rural geographical areas for participation in the CLÁR programme; when the eligible areas will be reviewed and revised; the steps he will take to ensure that Ballynacargy village and its hinterland are included in the context of the socio-economic assessment of the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5704/19]

Defence Forces Remuneration

Willie Penrose

79. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the status of the review taking place within the consultation procedure in respect of restoration of the allowances and so on to members of the Defence Forces which were substantially reduced; his plans for full restoration of same without further delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4692/19]

Departmental Reports

Willie Penrose

287. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Question No. 230 of 13 December 2018, if a copy of the report of the archaeologist carried out in 2015 and the 2018 fieldwork results now to hand will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4685/19]

Schools Facilities

Willie Penrose

244. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he will take to expedite an application by a school (details supplied) for AFD facilities and a science room; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4396/19]

Work Permits Applications

Willie Penrose

289. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation when a work permit application by a company (details supplied) will be processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4397/19]

Disability Allowance Eligibility

Willie Penrose

583. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason the amount of tax paid is not allowed as a deduction in terms of the calculation of means in respect of a person applying for a disability allowance (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4398/19]

Community Enhancement Programme Funding

Willie Penrose

27. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the allocation of €132,385 for County Longford and €136,571 for County Westmeath under the community enhancement fund is set to increase in 2019; the way in which the allocation to each county was spent in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2828/19]

Rural Regeneration and Development Fund

Willie Penrose

30. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the projects approved to date in each county under the rural regeneration and development fund; when the next tranche of projects will be approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2826/19]

Charities Regulation

Willie Penrose

31. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to bring forward legislation to reform the Charities Act 2009 which disallows political activity such as that seen in a centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2827/19]

Charitable and Voluntary Organisations

Willie Penrose

37. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the independent review of the charitable status of Pobal will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2825/19]

CLÁR Programme

Willie Penrose

43. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the criteria applicable for the award of funding pursuant to the CLÁR programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2829/19]

Garda Vetting Applications

Willie Penrose

249. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps he will take to expedite an application for vetting clearance to enable a person (details supplied) to take up a job appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2756/19]

Garda Transport Data

Willie Penrose

266. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of new marked and unmarked Garda cars, vans and marked motorcycles that were allocated to the roads policing unit in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3017/19]

Prisoner Transport

Willie Penrose

267. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the transport fleet budget for the Prison Service in each of the years 2015 to 2018; the amount allocated for same in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3018/19]

Garda Transport Provision

Willie Penrose

268. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if funding has been made available in 2019 for the replacement of aircraft or helicopters in the Garda air support unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3019/19]

Garda Resources

Willie Penrose

269. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if funding has been made available in 2019 for the purchase of drones for use by An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3020/19]

Regional Development Initiatives

Willie Penrose

288. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the efforts being made to promote Mullingar, County Westmeath as an attractive centre for regional development and in particular for IDA led investment in the context of trying to achieve the target of increased employment opportunities outside of the cities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3103/19]

Enterprise Ireland Data

Willie Penrose

289. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of Enterprise Ireland clients in counties Longford and Westmeath in each of the years 2016 to 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3104/19]

IDA Ireland Data

Willie Penrose

290. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of IDA visits to counties Westmeath and Longford in each of the years 2016 to 2018; the level of IDA-supported jobs in counties Longford and Westmeath on 31 December 2018, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3105/19]

Brexit Supports

Willie Penrose

291. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of applicants that have applied for support pursuant to the various Brexit schemes; the amounts expended on each scheme to date, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3106/19]

Ministerial Meetings

Willie Penrose

522. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has met formally with a person (details supplied) since his appointment as Minister; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3016/19]

Córas Iompair Éireann

Willie Penrose

576. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the four vacant posts on the board of CIÉ will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3021/19]

Youth Services Funding

Willie Penrose

594. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the budget allocation under the youth service grant scheme in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3022/19]

Commemorative Events

Willie Penrose

46. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans for the upcoming centenary commemorations of the War of Independence, the Civil War, the 1st Dáil and partition; the estimated cost of these commemorations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1586/19]