Parliamentary questions

Built Heritage Investment Scheme Funding

Willie Penrose

72. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the support funding which will be provided for built and heritage programmes in County Dublin and nationally in 2019. [1585/19]

Official Engagements

Willie Penrose

107. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to meet formally with the US Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ms Nancy Pelosi, the next time he visits the United States of America; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2020/19]

Banking Sector

Willie Penrose

114. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance the reason the stakeholders forum which was promised as part of the valuation of the public banking model has not met to date; if this is due to the failure to appoint the relevant consultant in order to ensure that same can now progress; the date the stakeholders forum will be operating from; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2013/19]

Services for People with Disabilities

Willie Penrose

192. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to ensure that a replacement nurse with expertise in disability services is appointed to the child disability services team in Springfield, Mullingar, County Westmeath (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2015/19]

Sports Capital Programme Applications

Willie Penrose

234. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an application for capital funding under the sports capital grants scheme has been received from a club (details supplied); if so, if same will be considered for an allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2014/19]

Commercial Rates

Willie Penrose

55. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to address the negative impact of rates on small businesses in small villages and towns in rural Ireland. [52144/18]

National Orchestras

Willie Penrose

1222. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the oversight group and working group that have been established to address issues in the transfer of the National Symphony Orchestra from the remit of RTÉ to the remit of the National Concert Hall have orchestra musicians and workers represented in both groups; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1570/19]

Carer's Allowance Delays

Willie Penrose

75. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the steps she has taken to address significant delays being experienced with carer's allowance applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53483/18]

Illness Benefit Costs

Willie Penrose

82. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her views on the decision by many general practitioner practices to charge persons who are in receipt of illness benefit for certificates relating to the benefit; her plans to work with the Minister for Health to rectify the situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53481/18]

Pensions Legislation

Willie Penrose

85. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of her plans for legislative changes in pension law; when amendments will be tabled to the Social Welfare, Pensions and Civil Registration Bill 2017; the reason for the delay of more than a year; when the Bill will be progressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53482/18]

Legislative Measures

Willie Penrose

537. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the details of the implementation strategy for the outstanding relevant sections of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 remaining to be commenced; the sections that remain to be commenced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53525/18]

Schools Building Projects

Willie Penrose

250. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the situation regarding the provision of a secondary school in Kinnegad, County Westmeath, will be examined, particularly in the context of a significantly increased population that prevails in Kinnegad and the environs and that was considered as part of the original M4 study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53425/18]

Schools Building Projects Status

Willie Penrose

251. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he will take to ensure that issues relating to a school (details supplied) will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53427/18]

Closed-Circuit Television Systems Provision

Willie Penrose

286. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has received an application from Westmeath County Council for funding for the installation of CCTV cameras as an aid to deterring crime; the conditions pertaining to the granting of such community CCTV projects; if consideration will be given thereto particularly in the context by which the council agrees to act as data controller for community CCTV schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53424/18]

Hospital Appointments Status

Willie Penrose

459. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to ensure that a person (details supplied) who has a severe degree of debilitation is immediately provided with an outpatient appointment at the Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore, County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53426/18]

Rural Regeneration and Development Fund

Willie Penrose

607. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he has received an application for aid pursuant to the urban and rural development fund from Westmeath County Council in respect of projects at Kinnegad and Castlepollard, County Westmeath; when a decision will be given thereon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53423/18]

Property Registration

Willie Penrose

651. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the steps he will take to expedite an application by persons (details supplied) for registration in the Land Registry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53227/18]

Foreign Conflicts

Willie Penrose

51. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps Ireland is taking by way of diplomatic efforts through the EU to ensure that the peace deal in South Sudan holds; if Ireland will continue to support the humanitarian efforts in South Sudan that are addressing the root cause of this conflict; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52626/18]

Foreign Conflicts

Willie Penrose

52. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to ensure that funding is continued and support provided for the vital conflict resolutions and peace-building efforts at community level by an organisation (details supplied) in partnership with INGOs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52627/18]

Health and Social Care Professionals Registration Boards

Willie Penrose

148. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the accreditation system in place for the registration of occupational therapists; when same became operative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52625/18]

Live Exports

Willie Penrose

173. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the initiatives he plans to take to increase live exports in view of the oversupply of cattle available to meat factories that are unable or unwilling to provide a fair price to farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52609/18]

TAMS Eligibility

Willie Penrose

174. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if meal bins on dry stock farms will be made eligible for TAMS grants in view of the significant underspend under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52610/18]

Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Eligibility

Willie Penrose

175. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the eligibility for the new ANC scheme will not delay payments in 2019; if the appeals process for farmers that are unhappy with their eligibility status will be put in place as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52611/18]

Archaeological Sites

Willie Penrose

230. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the steps she is taking in conjunction with Westmeath County Council to designate part of the Mayne high bog as a protected area due to its historical and archaeological significance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52608/18]

School Accommodation Provision

Willie Penrose

93. 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 which are urgently required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52259/18]

Beef Industry

Willie Penrose

21. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the nature and level of discussions he has had with beef factories to ensure farm producers receive a reasonable price for beef; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51205/18]

Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Eligibility

Willie Penrose

61. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details and criteria for the new ANC scheme; the way in which additional funding will be allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51204/18]

Illness Benefit Payments

Willie Penrose

255. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an outstanding adult dependant allowance relating to a claim for illness benefit by a person (details supplied) will issue in view of the fact that the person has completed and submitted the application relating to the spouse on two occasions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51238/18]

Illness Benefit Payments

Willie Penrose

303. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an outstanding illness benefit payment for a person (details supplied) will issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51144/18]

Schools Building Projects Status

Willie Penrose

221. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills the timeframe for the completion of construction of a school (details supplied); when it will be ready for occupation in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50878/18]

Invalidity Pension Applications

Willie Penrose

682. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when an application for invalidity pension by a person (details supplied) will be processed; if it will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50879/18]

Illness Benefit Applications

Willie Penrose

217. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when an application for an illness benefit by a person (details supplied) will be processed as a matter of urgency as this person has submitted their sixth medical certificate and has not received payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49939/18]

Fuel Allowance Eligibility

Willie Penrose

224. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) is not entitled to the fuel allowance when they are a recipient of carer’s allowance which would indicate that they are entitled to the household benefits package; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49962/18]

Carer's Benefit Applications

Willie Penrose

225. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will take steps to ensure that a person (details supplied) who has taken time off work to care for an elderly relative has an application for carer’s benefit immediately processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49963/18]

Tax Reliefs Application

Willie Penrose

22. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance his views on recent revelations that certain high net worth individuals are paying significantly lower rates of income tax than persons of much more modest means as a consequence of various tax breaks including losses carried forward; the estimated tax lost as a consequence of such activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48586/18]

VAT Rate Increases

Willie Penrose

43. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance if he has commissioned an impact assessment of the increase in VAT from 9% to 13% in respect of hotels, restaurants, hairdressing and other activities; the expected increase in revenues in each of the categories in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48581/18]

Minor Works Scheme Applications

Willie Penrose

72. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an application for a minor works grant for a school (details supplied) will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48797/18]

Illness Benefit Payments

Willie Penrose

213. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an outstanding illness benefit for a person (details supplied) will issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48796/18]

Planning Guidelines

Willie Penrose

218. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 620 of 13 November 2018, the way in which commitments given to an organisation (details supplied) at a meeting on 4 October 2018 can be incorporated into the forthcoming regional spatial and economic strategies, RSESs, in order to ensure that the necessary changes to help deliver on the practical aspects as set out therein are implemented; if he as a statutory consultee will ensure that they are incorporated into the RSESs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48798/18]

Basic Payment Scheme Payments

Willie Penrose

194. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to ensure that the BPS payment which is due to persons (details supplied) is issued in circumstances in which it is being held; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48615/18]

Land Development Agency

Willie Penrose

250. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if, in the context of recent plans to include Columb Barracks, Mullingar as part of the Land Development Agency proposals, he will take steps to ensure that various community and voluntary groups and organisations which have been located within the barracks for the past two years are facilitated and accommodated within plans drawn up for the barracks and that they retain their facilities therein; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48467/18]

Commemorative Events

Willie Penrose

24. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to convene a committee of historians and others to advise on the forthcoming commemorations in respect of the War of Independence, the anniversary of the First Dáil, the Democratic Programme, the Civil War and the foundation of the State; if she has reached agreements on the significant State commemorations to be held to commemorate these events; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47416/18]

Traveller Community

Willie Penrose

173. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the status of the national Traveller health action plan; if a planning advisory body for Traveller health to drive delivery will be established; if the national Traveller health action plan will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47233/18]

Burial Grounds

Willie Penrose

266. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if a burial site (details supplied) of historical importance can be accessed by members of the public for historical review in view of the fact that it is apparently landlocked and is situated on private land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47439/18]

Illness Benefit Payments

Willie Penrose

74. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons who have been impacted on by delays in the payment of illness benefit; her plans to address the matter; the number delayed; and the number of persons who have received supplementary welfare payments as a result of delays. [46896/18]

Pensions Reform

Willie Penrose

75. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of her plans for legislative changes in pension law; when amendments will be tabled to the Social Welfare, Pensions and Civil Registration Bill 2017; the reason for the delay of more than a year; and when the Bill will be progressed. [46879/18]

Legislative Process

Willie Penrose

80. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when it is planned to introduce the Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2017 in Seanad Éireann; and the amendments she plans to make to the Bill. [46881/18]

Parental Leave Expenditure

Willie Penrose

99. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the date in 2019 from which parental leave will be paid under the budget forecasts; the number of persons expected to apply in 2019 and 2020; the full-year cost; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46883/18]

Community Employment Schemes Operation

Willie Penrose

102. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to establish a community advisory forum for community employment schemes; and her further plans to increase the payments that support these schemes and the participants. [46880/18]

Employment Rights

Willie Penrose

104. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of cases received and then investigated following the publicity campaign on false self-employment; if she is satisfied with the outcome to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46882/18]

Gambling Sector

Willie Penrose

189. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance if, in the context of the recent increase in budget 2019 raising the betting tax from 1% to 2%, he will consider the alternative proposal that will achieve greater action in the Exchequer by levying the tax payable upon gross profit retail increased online and 25% commissions, rather than the current proposal which is levied upon total turnover, and which as continuation could perpetuate a loss of in excess of 3,000 jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47089/18]

School Enrolments

Willie Penrose

244. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills the criteria applicable to schools admissions following the enactment of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018 with particular emphasis on family and sibling connections to schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47088/18]

Inland Fisheries

Willie Penrose

481. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if, in the context of his recent announcement concerning the eel fisherpersons support scheme and in particular in respect of the criteria outlined therein, it is the intention of the scheme to exclude fishermen who were fishing during the appropriate period and had prepared audited accounts for taxation return purposes; the criteria that are applicable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47184/18]

Illness Benefit Payments

Willie Penrose

582. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the steps she will take to ensure that a person (details supplied) will receive the correct and appropriate rate of illness benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47185/18]

Planning Guidelines

Willie Penrose

620. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the steps he will take to issue the appropriate order to make the necessary adjustments to the national planning framework in the context of commitments given to an organisation (details supplied) at a meeting on 4 October 2018; and if he will further instruct the regional assemblies to amend their RSES to comply with these adjustments and changes. [46739/18]

Illness Benefit Costs

Willie Penrose

278. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason persons in receipt of illness benefit must pay a €10 charge to their general practitioner to have a medical certificate completed in order to claim their illness benefit; if the matter will be reviewed in circumstances in which they are medical card holders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46406/18]

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

Willie Penrose

554. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the additional resources being provided to CAMHS in order to enable young persons with mental health problems to be assessed; if additional psychologists will be recruited to ensure young persons can secure immediate and vital assessments and to enable timely access to appropriate treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44889/18]

Credit Union Regulation

Willie Penrose

6. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance to outline the work his Department has carried out in conjunction with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government with regard to the establishment of a special purpose vehicle for credit unions to invest funds in social housing projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43969/18]

Community Banking

Willie Penrose

60. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance if the rebuttal published by an organisation (details supplied) has been examined in respect of the conclusions of the public banking investigation; the detailed refutation of the conclusions drawn by his Department in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40658/18]

Community Banking

Willie Penrose

85. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance if he has examined the rebuttal published by an organisation (details supplied) in respect of the conclusions of the public banking investigation; the detailed refutation of the conclusions drawn by his Department's officials; if he will be raising the points raised by the organisation in its submission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38418/18]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Willie Penrose

352. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the steps she will take to ensure an application for a carer’s allowance by a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44478/18]

Ministerial Meetings

Willie Penrose

108. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to meet the Majority Leader of the United States of America Senate Mr. Mitch McConnell by the end of 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44212/18]

Ministerial Communications

Willie Penrose

109. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has spoken recently with his South African counterpart; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44213/18]

State Pathology Laboratory

Willie Penrose

204. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated cost of recruiting an extra three full-time senior laboratory analysts for the Office of the State Pathologist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44215/18]

Garda Recruitment

Willie Penrose

205. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated cost of increasing the number of dedicated community gardaí by 30%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44216/18]

Trade Missions Data

Willie Penrose

212. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the location of trade missions she will participate in for the remainder of 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44211/18]

Diplomatic Representation

Willie Penrose

273. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the Irish embassies that currently have an agricultural attaché based at the embassy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44214/18]

Illness Benefit Payments

Willie Penrose

642. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason the payment of illness benefit to a person (details supplied) has not been issued; if same will issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43630/18]

Disability Allowance Applications

Willie Penrose

643. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position in relation to an application by a person (details supplied) for a disability allowance; if same will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43631/18]

Agriculture Scheme Payments

Willie Penrose

530. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he will take to ensure a farmer (details supplied) who has been subject to numerous on-farm inspections such as cross compliance, Bord Bia inspections, remote slurry inspections and so on will have payments due for 2018 issued without further delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42363/18]

Working Holiday Visas

Willie Penrose

111. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the way in which a horse trainer working in the agriculture industry can obtain an employment visa for a Brazilian national who has a holiday visa to work as an assistant trainer to them here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40563/18]

Agriculture Schemes

Willie Penrose

182. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if, in the context of a recently published report for an organisation (details supplied) on the economic and societal importance of the Irish suckler beef sector, he will take steps to introduce a targeted payment of €200 per suckler cow in order to sustain this important and critical sector for the Irish rural agri-economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40560/18]

Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Appeals

Willie Penrose

183. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a reduction was made in the entitlements of a person (details supplied) under the areas of natural constraint 2018 payment; if same will be reviewed and payments restored until the said appeal is determined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40561/18]

Agriculture Scheme Appeals

Willie Penrose

184. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an appeal by a person (details supplied) against imposed penalties will be determined; if the person will be allowed an oral hearing in respect of this appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40562/18]

Transfer of Entitlements

Willie Penrose

225. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps that will be taken to ensure that the process of a person (details supplied) leasing entitlements to another party, which appears to be in order in respect of both the lessor and lessee, will be processed without delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40123/18]

GLAS Issues

Willie Penrose

244. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he will take to examine the issues raised in correspondence with a view to allowing a person (details supplied) to retire from farming without penalty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40329/18]

Tax Code

Willie Penrose

163. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance if steps will be taken on terms of taxation changes in order to ensure farmers will not be penalised when they commit to restoring the stock values over the next number of years (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39994/18]

Schools Building Projects Status

Willie Penrose

254. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the application for a new school (details supplied); if it has now reached the stage of appointment of a preferred bidder; if in this context when construction will commence; the anticipated finalising date thereof; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39996/18]

Disease Management

Willie Penrose

444. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if, in the context of Lyme disease and the importance of promoting awareness of same at primary care level, the appointment of a general practitioner champion for Lyme disease will be examined in order that clinical diagnosis can be made early and effectively and ensure general practitioners and consultants recognise the results from tests that have been carried out by accredited laboratories abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39995/18]

Social Welfare Benefits Payments

Willie Penrose

600. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if appropriate provision in the sum of €257 million has been made in order to ensure that the Christmas bonus is paid out to the 1.2 million long-term social welfare recipients entitled to same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39782/18]

Defence Forces Remuneration

Willie Penrose

55. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the status of the review into pay and allowances for members of the Permanent Defence Force; if allowances which were previously paid will be fully restored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39279/18]

Invalidity Pension Eligibility

Willie Penrose

229. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the class or rate of contributions that must be paid by a person seeking an invalidity pension; if voluntary contributions paid by a person are reckonable for invalidity pension purposes; the nature of contributions paid by a person (details supplied) for the past ten years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39278/18]

Disability Allowance Applications

Willie Penrose

230. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position on an application for disability allowance by a person (details supplied) for the past ten years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39280/18]

Social Welfare Offices

Willie Penrose

67. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she is satisfied that Intreo offices provide sufficient accessibility to persons seeking to access exceptional and urgent needs payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38860/18]

National Carers' Strategy Funding

Willie Penrose

68. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to provide additional supports to carers; her further plans to remove the means test for the carer's allowance. [38858/18]

Court Judgments

Willie Penrose

83. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to deal with the outcome of the UK Supreme Court case on the exclusion of cohabitees from claiming widowed parent's allowance and the findings of eligibility under the ECHR; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38857/18]

Fuel Allowance Payments

Willie Penrose

98. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans for a cold weather fuel payment for 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38859/18]

Health Services Funding

Willie Penrose

209. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if funding will be made available to the National Rehabilitation Hospital in order to allow a prosthesis to be manufactured for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39104/18]

Tenant Purchase Scheme

Willie Penrose

260. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when he will bring forward the new tenant purchase scheme which incorporates the recommendations made in the review of the scheme recently introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39126/18]

Mental Health Services Funding

Willie Penrose

295. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if funding will be provided to an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38456/18]

Hospital Appointments Delays

Willie Penrose

296. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38457/18]

Tax Code

Willie Penrose

62. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance if a farmer incurs losses in excess of three years, the way in which such losses are treated in the income tax code in respect of section 662 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, as amended, in which relief in respect of losses in farming or market gardening are restricted for a three year period in the context of circumstances in which there would be a sustained period of losses in excess of that which is permitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38215/18]

Schools Establishment

Willie Penrose

87. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has reviewed the N4 study carried out regarding a requirement for secondary school provision; his plans for the establishment of a secondary school (details supplied) in Kinnegad, County Westmeath, in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38209/18]

Teachers' Remuneration

Willie Penrose

88. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has received a submission from a group (details supplied) advocating changes to the pay and conditions of teachers and principals, including issues pertaining to the allocation of a release day per week to principals, the creation of national clusters of panels to enable release time to be covered and the restoration of pay equality to all teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38212/18]

Copyright Legislation Review

Willie Penrose

123. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the steps her Department is taking to ensure that legislation is progressed to protect copyright of various artists, musicians and songwriters in the context of royalties for their work and productions and particularly in the context of the recent vote in the European Parliament to ensure the protection of such artists in securing appropriate royalties and dividends for their works and productions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38210/18]

Nursing Staff Remuneration

Willie Penrose

165. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to address the pay issue, the fact that Irish nurses and midwives work longer hours than many of their international counterparts and the need to address staff shortages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38213/18]

Railway Stations

Willie Penrose

189. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he will take to liaise with Iarnród Éireann with a view to progressing the reopening of the train station at Thomastown, Killucan; his plans to visit the location to establish the position and the importance of same particularly in the provision of public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38211/18]

Invalidity Pension Applications

Willie Penrose

220. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position regarding an application by a person (details supplied) for disability allowance; if same will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38214/18]

Post Office Network

Willie Penrose

58. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the proposals his Department is working on regarding the preservation and enhancement of the rural post office network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25723/18]

Community Employment Schemes Operation

Willie Penrose

754. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason her Department issued directives to community employment scheme area supervisors advising them that support is being discontinued for private members' clubs that receive membership fees from their members, a move which will impact severely upon clubs based in rural areas that receive minimum membership and which is particularly applicable to pitch and putt clubs in that category; if this directive will be reviewed and withdrawn; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37575/18]