Parliamentary questions

Electoral Commission Administration

Denise Mitchell

418. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the estimated cost to establish an annual cost to run an independent electoral commission on a permanent basis. [50975/19]

Electoral Register

Denise Mitchell

419. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he has considered reforming the voter registration process to a more accessible online registration model such as is used in the UK and other European countries; his views on whether the current model is a possible impediment to persons registering to vote; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50976/19]

Electoral Reform

Denise Mitchell

420. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the specific voter incentive schemes he has considered; if an "I Voted" sticker scheme or similar has been considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50977/19]

Social and Affordable Housing Eligibility

Willie Penrose

421. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the housing income limit for eligibility to be considered for social housing will be reviewed in the context of ongoing developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51011/19]

Civil Aviation Regulation

Paul Kehoe

422. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the regulations that apply to the installation of civilian helipads. [51013/19]

Local Authority Housing Provision

Jan O'Sullivan

423. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the sites owned by Louth County Council that were purchased by the local authority since 2000 for the purpose of developing public housing; if public or voluntary housing has been constructed on the sites; the purchase price of each individual site and the year each site was purchased by the council; the amount of moneys owed capital and interest on loans taken out for the purchase of each site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51069/19]

Special Protection Areas Designation

Jackie Cahill

424. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the carbon sequestration potential of designated land, including hen harrier designated land, has been examined with respect to permitting some planting on such land. [50706/19]

National Raised Bog Management Plan

Jackie Cahill

425. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to compensate farmers with land that has been affected by the reflooding of a bog; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50782/19]

Departmental Staff Data

Sean Fleming

426. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of persons employed on an agency basis in her Department and in each agency under her aegis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50800/19]

Heritage Sites

Eamon Ryan

427. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans for the Grand Canal basin graving docks; and if she supports the preservation and restoration of this important historical site. [50815/19]

Commissions of Investigation Expenditure

Brendan Howlin

1. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the projected costs of the Commission of Investigation into the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation, IBRC. [47365/19]

British-Irish Council

Brendan Howlin

2. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his attendance at the 33rd British-Irish Council. [48539/19]

British-Irish Council

Mary Lou McDonald

3. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his hosting of the recent British-Irish Council summit. [47640/19]

British-Irish Council

Micheál Martin

4. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if corporation tax was discussed at the British-Irish Council when it met in Farmleigh recently; and if comments were made about corporation tax in Northern Ireland. [48831/19]

British-Irish Council

Joan Burton

5. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his hosting of the recent British-Irish Council summit. [48844/19]

British-Irish Council

Richard Boyd Barrett

6. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his hosting of the recent British-Irish Council summit. [50113/19]

Departmental Functions

Richard Boyd Barrett

7. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the parliamentary liaison unit in his Department. [47831/19]

Departmental Functions

Brendan Howlin

8. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the parliamentary liaison unit. [48733/19]

Departmental Functions

Micheál Martin

9. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the way in which his Department supports the Independent Ministers of Government as outlined in the Statement of Strategy 2016-2019 of his Department. [49131/19]

Public Services Card

Willie O'Dea

35. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she has received an enforcement notice from the Data Protection Commissioner in respect of the public services card, PSC; if the course of action she will take has been decided; if enforcement proceedings have been issued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50497/19]

Departmental Reports

John Brady

36. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a report into the impact of reduced rates of jobseekers' payments for the young unemployed between 18 and 25 years of age, as committed to in Pathways to Work 2016-2020, has not been published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50256/19]

Fuel Poverty

Willie O'Dea

37. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the way in which she plans to compensate social welfare recipients who are not in receipt of fuel allowance for the increase in carbon tax; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50498/19]

State Pensions Reform

Willie Penrose

38. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to review the qualification age for the contributory and non-contributory State pension; the number of persons who will be impacted by the increase in the qualification age for the State pension in 2021; the number who have 20 or more years of PRSI contributions; the transition measures she plans to put in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50651/19]

Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System

Willie O'Dea

39. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the person or body to operate the auto-enrolment pension system has been decided; her plans to address concerns regarding the operation of this system and the lack of a drawdown option for a mortgage deposit for first-time buyers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50499/19]

Public Services Card

Bríd Smith

40. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to set out the cost to date of the unrolling of the public services card; the reason possession of a card is mandatory for parents availing of the new child care scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50381/19]

Community Employment Schemes Supervisors

Niamh Smyth

41. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to set out the status of a matter (details supplied) relating to community employment supervisors; if further discussions have taken place with unions on same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50172/19]

Social Welfare Fraud

John Curran

42. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the investigations and reviews undertaken by the scope section of her Department either solely or in cooperation with the Revenue Commissioners to address the issue of bogus self-employment to date in 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50283/19]

Rural Social Scheme Eligibility

Éamon Ó Cuív

43. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason her Department put a cap of six years on participation on the rural social scheme and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50170/19]

Social Welfare Benefits Waiting Times

Aindrias Moynihan

44. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to ensure timely access to decisions, payments and reviews for all schemes and services as promised in budget 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50378/19]

Community Employment Schemes Supervisors

Martin Heydon

45. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to set out the status of her efforts to address issues affecting community employment supervisors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50353/19]

Disability Allowance Applications Waiting Times

Joan Collins

46. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the steps being taken to reduce the waiting times to process disability allowance applications in view of the fact that it appears the waiting times have gone up recently; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50356/19]

Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme

John Brady

47. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the date for the publication of the new social inclusion strategy; if she has received the document; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50252/19]

Child Maintenance Payments

John Brady

48. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the action she plans to take following the passing of the motion on child maintenance by Dáil Éireann in October 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50253/19]

Carer's Allowance Waiting Times

Joan Collins

49. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the steps taken to reduce the waiting times to process carer’s allowance applications in view of the fact that it appears the waiting times have gone up recently; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50355/19]

JobPath Programme

Richard Boyd Barrett

50. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she has carried out an audit on the companies that have been running JobPath in advance of their contracts being reviewed for 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50369/19]

Live Register Data

Willie Penrose

51. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons on the live register who had previous stated employment in the construction sector; the breakdown of the figure for areas termed as unemployment blackspots; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50365/19]

Social Welfare Appeals Data

Bernard Durkan

52. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of appeals in her Department in respect to various decisions made regarding applications for payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50366/19]

Low Pay

Paul Murphy

53. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will report on the high incidence of low pay within the meat industry; and her plans to address same. [50380/19]

Pensions Reform

John Curran

54. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she has brought forward proposals for a new total contribution pension scheme; if not, when she expects to do so; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50284/19]

Social Welfare Benefits Waiting Times

Fiona O'Loughlin

55. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the action being taken to address delays in processing applications within her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50254/19]

JobPath Programme

John Brady

56. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans for JobPath in 2020; if the plans will change in the case of a Brexit deal being agreed and passed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50249/19]

Fuel Allowance Data

Thomas P. Broughan

57. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if there has been an increase in applications for the fuel allowance and the household benefits package to date in 2019; the number of recipients of both payments in 2018 and to date in 2019; the number of applications refused in each year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50171/19]

Poverty Impact Assessment

Willie O'Dea

58. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the social welfare Estimates are poverty proofed each year; if not, her plans to poverty proof same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50351/19]

Social Insurance

Joan Collins

59. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to deal with bogus self-employment which could be costing the State as much as €1 billion per annum. [50359/19]

Free Travel Scheme Administration

Thomas Byrne

60. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent of data sharing between Irish Rail and her Department on the free travel scheme and public services card. [50357/19]

JobPath Programme

Richard Boyd Barrett

61. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans for JobPath; if the companies contracts will be renewed for 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50368/19]

Unemployment Levels

Willie Penrose

62. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of unemployment blackspots nationwide; her activation plans to increase employment in these areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50364/19]

Community Employment Schemes Supervisors

Fiona O'Loughlin

63. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to set out the status of pensions for community employment supervisors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50255/19]

Tús Programme

Martin Heydon

64. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the actions taken by her Department to increase levels of participation on Tús schemes in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50354/19]

Social Welfare Benefits Waiting Times

Aindrias Moynihan

65. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to ensure reviews of social protection applications are dealt with in a more prompt manner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50377/19]

Public Services Card

Thomas Byrne

66. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position regarding the recent ruling of the Data Protection Commissioner on the public services card. [50358/19]

Carer's Allowance Eligibility

Denis Naughten

67. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to extend carer's allowance to persons working over the prescribed hours in cases in which the person being cared for is in a training centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50152/19]

Community Employment Schemes Supervisors

Willie Penrose

68. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when she plans to address the status of community employment supervisors and provide for their payments as per the Labour Court recommendation of 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46862/19]

Community Employment Schemes Supervisors

James Browne

69. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to outline the position regarding the 2008 Labour Court recommendation regarding pensions for community employment scheme supervisors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50147/19]

Social Welfare Benefits Reviews

Éamon Ó Cuív

70. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reviews carried out by her Department since 2011 on means-testing of means-tested social welfare schemes and payments to ensure they are equitable and do not act as a disincentive to increasing income from employment or good practice in terms of thrift and saving; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50169/19]

Community Employment Schemes Supervisors

John Brady

71. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to outline the status of talks between her Department and representatives of community employment supervisors on their pension entitlements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50250/19]

Social Welfare Benefits Waiting Times

Niamh Smyth

72. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the waiting times for the processing of applications for carer's allowance and carer's benefit; the number of applications waiting to be processed by county in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50149/19]

Jobseeker's Allowance Data

Bernard Durkan

73. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons registered as being in receipt of short-term jobseekers’ allowance and long-term jobseeker’s allowance payments, respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50367/19]

Community Employment Schemes Supervisors

Willie O'Dea

74. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to outline the status of talks with community employment supervisors; the way in which she plans to address the issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50352/19]

Departmental Strategies

Willie O'Dea

75. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason the new roadmap for social inclusion 2019 to 2025 has not been published; if the roadmap and targets set will need to be revised in view of the latest SILC data; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50349/19]

Carer's Allowance Eligibility

Denis Naughten

76. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to extend carer's allowance to persons working over the prescribed hours in cases in which the person being cared for is in school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50151/19]

Widow's Pension Eligibility

John Brady

77. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will consider allowing an entitlement to a widow’s pension in certain circumstances and not solely dependent on marital status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50251/19]

Public Consultation Process

Niamh Smyth

78. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Taoiseach the public consultations held by his Department in 2018 and to date in 2019; and the date on which such consultations were held by county. [50455/19]

Legislative Process

Niall Collins

79. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach the number of Bills in his Department awaiting Committee Stage. [50555/19]

Departmental Expenditure

Niall Collins

80. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach the photography costs for his Department in each of the years March 2011 to 2018 and to date in 2019; the costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; the occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the costs associated with each occasion a photographer was used in tabular form; and if there is a policy in his Department regarding the booking of photographers. [50579/19]

Freedom of Information Data

Barry Cowen

81. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Taoiseach the number of freedom of information requests made to his Department in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019; the number of requests fully denied by reason; the number of requests partially denied; the number of appeals made against denials; the number of such appeals upheld; the number of such appeals rejected; the number of requests that required a fee; and the amount received for freedom of information requests in tabular form. [50604/19]

Public Consultation Process

Niamh Smyth

82. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the public consultations held by his Department in 2018 and to date in 2019; the date on which such consultations were held by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50445/19]

Legislative Process

Niall Collins

83. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of Bills in his Department awaiting Committee Stage. [50545/19]

Departmental Expenditure

Niall Collins

84. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the photography costs for his Department in each of the years March 2011 to 2018 and to date in 2019; the costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; the occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used in tabular form; if there is a policy in his Department regarding the booking of photographers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50569/19]

Freedom of Information Data

Barry Cowen

85. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of freedom of information requests made to his Department in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019; the number of requests fully denied by reason; the number of requests partially denied; the number of appeals made against denials; the number of such appeals upheld; the number of such appeals rejected; the number of requests that required a fee; the amount received for freedom of information requests in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50594/19]

Public Consultation Process

Niamh Smyth

86. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the public consultations held by his Department in 2018 and to date in 2019; the date on which such consultations were held by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50449/19]

Legislative Process

Niall Collins

87. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of bills in his Department awaiting Committee Stage. [50549/19]

Departmental Expenditure

Niall Collins

88. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the photography costs for his Department in each of the years March 2011 to 2018 and to date in 2019; the costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; the occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used in tabular form; if there is a policy in his Department regarding the booking of photographers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50573/19]

Freedom of Information Data

Barry Cowen

89. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of freedom of information requests made to his Department in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019; the number of requests fully denied by reason; the number of requests partially denied; the number of appeals made against denials; the number of such appeals upheld; the number of such appeals rejected; the number of requests that required a fee; the amount received for freedom of information requests in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50598/19]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

90. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when talks will resume between the Irish and UK Governments and the political parties in Northern Ireland on the need to have the Northern Ireland Assembly and the Executive restored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50612/19]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

91. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of his most recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on the need to have the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive in Northern Ireland restored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50613/19]

Disabled Drivers and Passengers Scheme

John Brassil

92. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Finance if he will address the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50664/19]

Public Consultation Process

Niamh Smyth

93. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Finance the public consultations held by his Department in 2018 and to date in 2019; the date on which such consultations were held by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50448/19]

Mortgage Protection Policies

Brendan Griffin

94. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance the options available to persons (details supplied) in County Kerry who are unable to secure mortgage protection to purchase a house due to a 1,000% loading being applied by insurance providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50501/19]

Tax Code

Martin Heydon

95. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Finance the status of his communication with the Revenue Commissioners on proposed changes to the flat-rate expenses system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50531/19]

Revenue Commissioners Resources

Martin Heydon

96. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the potential additional costs that would be incurred by the Revenue Commissioners in implementing a manual system for claiming flat-rate expenses; if the Revenue Commissioners have the resources to deal with such additional manual claims in the event of changes to the system of claiming flat-rate expenses system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50532/19]

Legislative Process

Niall Collins

97. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Finance the number of Bills in his Department awaiting Committee Stage. [50548/19]

Departmental Expenditure

Niall Collins

98. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Finance the photography costs for his Department in each of the years March 2011 to 2018 and to date in 2019; the costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; the occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used in tabular form; if there is a policy in his Department regarding the booking of photographers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50572/19]

Freedom of Information Data

Barry Cowen

99. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Finance the number of freedom of information requests made to his Department in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019; the number of requests fully denied by reason; the number of requests partially denied; the number of appeals made against denials; the number of such appeals upheld; the number of such appeals rejected; the number of requests that required a fee; the amount received for freedom of information requests in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50597/19]

Programme for Government Implementation

Micheál Martin

100. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will report on the programme for partnership Government commitment on reforming budgetary matters. [50339/19]

Garda Station Refurbishment

Niamh Smyth

101. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason for the delay in commencing works on Bailieborough Garda station, County Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50431/19]

Public Consultation Process

Niamh Smyth

102. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the public consultations held by his Department in 2018 and to date in 2019; the date on which such consultations were held by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50453/19]

Climate Action Plan

John Curran

103. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the OPW action of the Climate Action Plan 2019 to develop a roadmap to promote greater use of lower carbon building material alternatives in construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50470/19]

Legislative Process

Niall Collins

104. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of Bills in his Department awaiting Committee Stage. [50553/19]

Departmental Expenditure

Niall Collins

105. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the photography costs for his Department in each of the years March 2011 to 2018 and to date in 2019; the costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; the occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used in tabular form; if there is a policy in his Department regarding the booking of photographers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50577/19]

Freedom of Information Data

Barry Cowen

106. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of freedom of information requests made to his Department in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019; the number of requests fully denied by reason; the number of requests partially denied; the number of appeals made against denials; the number of such appeals upheld; the number of such appeals rejected; the number of requests that required a fee; the amount received for freedom of information requests in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50602/19]

Flood Relief Schemes Status

James Browne

107. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding a scheme (details supplied);; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50611/19]

Physical Education Facilities

Brendan Howlin

108. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review the policy of not including general purpose and physical education rooms in existing schools in the capital plan; his views on whether physical education is an essential part of the school curriculum; his further views on whether the challenge of childhood obesity is one of the most significant health challenges being faced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50437/19]

Public Consultation Process

Niamh Smyth

109. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Skills the public consultations held by his Department in 2018 and to date in 2019; the date on which such consultations were held by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50446/19]

Summer Works Scheme Data

John Curran

110. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools that applied for summer works in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019; the number of applications which were successful; the number of applications which were unsuccessful in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50467/19]

Summer Works Scheme Applications

John Curran

111. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an application by a school (details supplied) for a school summer works grant that was unsuccessful will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50468/19]

School Transport Administration

Eugene Murphy

112. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if adjusting the rate of pay to a person (details supplied) will be investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50479/19]

School Services Staff

Peter Burke

113. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the role of school secretaries will be upgraded to clerical officer positions; and if so, the timescale for the transition. [50483/19]

DEIS Administration

Brendan Griffin

114. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding DEIS schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50509/19]

DEIS Administration

Denis Naughten

115. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to reduce the pupil-teacher ratio in DEIS band one primary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50510/19]