Parliamentary questions

Small and Medium Enterprises

Eamon Scanlon

67. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the way in which she plans to overhaul SME policy and entrepreneurship in the wake of findings of the study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development; if the interdepartmental consultative group has met to discuss the recommendations of the study; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49942/19]

Regional Enterprise Plans

Michael Lowry

68. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the steps she is taking to make Ireland, particularly rural counties such as County Tipperary, an attractive destination for business and investment (details supplied); the way in which Ireland's economic reputation overseas is being enhanced and promoted; the incentives being put in place; the way in which it is being monitored; and the opportunities she envisions for Ireland as a result of Brexit. [46215/19]

Personal Injury Claims

Robert Troy

69. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the actions being taken regarding personal injury awards. [50141/19]

Local Enterprise Offices

Charlie McConalogue

70. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the supports in place for businesses though the local enterprise office in County Donegal; the additional funding made to same in 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49962/19]

Retail Sector

Martin Heydon

71. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the work she is undertaking to assist small businesses in the retail sector to develop an online presence; her views on the impact online shopping and digital transformation is having on the retail sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50038/19]

Brexit Preparations

Aindrias Moynihan

72. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to increase the uptake in the various schemes to prepare businesses for Brexit; the particular efforts which will be made in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50128/19]

Competition and Consumer Protection Commission Reports

Denis Naughten

73. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the requests made under section 10(4) of the Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2014 to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission; her plans to make a further request; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50036/19]

Brexit Data

Thomas P. Broughan

74. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the up-to-date statistics on the impact of Brexit uncertainty on job losses here; and the actions she is taking to replace such jobs. [49750/19]

Local Enterprise Offices

Richard Boyd Barrett

75. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her plans or proposals to assist small and struggling businesses in towns and villages. [50143/19]

IDA Ireland Site Visits

Robert Troy

76. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the position regarding regional IDA Ireland site visits per county in addition to vacant IDA Ireland properties nationwide; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50139/19]

Company Law

Thomas P. Broughan

77. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to introduce reform legislation for limited partnerships; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49711/19]

Job Creation

Martin Heydon

78. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the status of recent activities by the IDA in County Kildare towards job creation and attracting new industry to the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50044/19]

Brexit Preparations

Bernard Durkan

79. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which Ireland has identified new trading partners to compensate for Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46374/19]

IDA Ireland Data

Thomas Byrne

80. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of IDA Ireland visits to County Meath in 2019; and the number of IDA Ireland units which are occupied and vacant in County Meath. [49964/19]

Economic Growth

Bernard Durkan

81. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which she continues to encourage investment on the island of Ireland with a view to ensuring the continued prosperity North and South, notwithstanding issues arising from Brexit; if further initiatives are planned to enhance the continued development of economies North and South with equally beneficial results; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50045/19]

Job Losses

Jan O'Sullivan

82. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the actions taken to protect and assist workers in a company (details supplied) which announced proposed job losses of approximately 500 recently; if an application has been made to the European Globalisation Fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49933/19]

Workplace Relations Services Data

Bríd Smith

83. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of cases heard at the Workplace Relations Commission in 2018 and to date in 2019; the number of adjudicators employed by the commission; the number of appeals to decisions of adjudicators; the time taken for cases to be heard; and her plans for the commission for the coming year. [43635/19]

European Labour Authority

Thomas P. Broughan

84. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the way in which the newly established European Labour Authority will support the work of agencies under the aegis of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49710/19]

Brexit Supports

Alan Kelly

85. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the funding provided to the sectors most affected by Brexit through the Brexit loan scheme in 2018 and to date in 2019; the number of companies that have benefited; the funding provided through the future growth loan scheme to date in 2019; and the number of companies that have benefited. [46863/19]

Flexible Work Practices

Joe Carey

86. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation when the research work of her Department on remote working will be completed; the steps she plans to take to further promote and encourage remote working here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49997/19]

Manufacturing Sector

Peter Burke

87. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the status of the new industry 4.0 strategy which is being developed; the role envisaged for a centre (details supplied) as part of this strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49967/19]

IDA Ireland Site Visits

Fiona O'Loughlin

88. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if there are foreign direct investment visits planned for County Kildare during the remainder of 2019 and into 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49751/19]

Future Growth Loan Scheme

Peter Burke

89. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the status of the drawdown under the future growth loan scheme; the way in which this scheme is benefitting small businesses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49966/19]

Trade Agreements

Michael Moynihan

90. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if she or her officials have written to her US counterpart expressing concern regarding changing tariffs on food products from Ireland. [41942/19]

Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities

Margaret Murphy O'Mahony

91. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the role her Department is playing in advancing disability inclusion in entrepreneurial policy. [49707/19]

Commercial Rates Impact

Niamh Smyth

92. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the action she is taking to support businesses concerned regarding the impact of commercial rates on the future of their businesses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49708/19]

Flexible Work Practices

Thomas Byrne

93. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to promote and encourage new and developing work practices in County Meath such as working from home initiatives and working from tech hubs and hot desks. [49963/19]

Workplace Relations Services Data

Bríd Smith

94. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the staff numbers at the WRC including adjudicators; the average time taken to have cases heard and appeals decided; and the number of cases heard in 2018 and to date in 2019. [50382/19]

Joint Labour Committees

Paul Murphy

95. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the reason only two out of seven joint labour committees are functioning and have produced employment regulation orders; and her plans to ensure that other sectors including agriculture, cleaning and so on are represented by joint labour committees. [50379/19]

Joint Labour Committees

Joan Collins

96. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the steps she plans to take to expand the joint labour committees for workers in low-paid industries in view of a Bill to address the issue recently being voted down in Seanad Éireann; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50362/19]

Consumer Prices Data

Robert Troy

97. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Taoiseach the latest annual and quarterly EUROSTAT data for Ireland in relation to EU consumer price levels for goods and services; the EU average figure; and the ranking and position of Ireland in relation to other countries in the EU 28, in tabular form. [50022/19]

Departmental Expenditure

Barry Cowen

98. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Taoiseach the amount spent by his Department and each agency under the aegis of his Department on the National Ploughing Championships in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019, by online advertising, offline advertising, promotional material, wages, photography, stand rental and other costs. [49687/19]

Departmental Reports

Shane Cassells

99. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Taoiseach the number of external consultant reports commissioned by his Department in each year from March 2011 to 2018 and to date in 2019; the cost of each report; the company involved; and the title and publication date by report in tabular form. [49911/19]

Quarterly National Household Survey

Noel Grealish

100. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Taoiseach the rate of unemployment in percentage terms in each of the years 2008, 2017 and 2018. [49513/19]

Unemployment Data

Robert Troy

101. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Taoiseach the details of each Nuts 2 region that is within 1% of the national unemployment rate and each NUTS 2 and 3 region that is not, in tabular form. [50023/19]

Unemployment Data

Robert Troy

102. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Taoiseach the unemployment rate by county using the latest CSO data. [50026/19]

Legislative Measures

Barry Cowen

103. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Taoiseach the number of Bills sponsored by his Department that have been enacted since November 2013, in tabular form. [50326/19]

Defence Forces Representative Organisations

Willie Penrose

104. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the steps he will take to facilitate a group (details supplied) to achieve affiliate status to a union on the basis that it has publicly committed to never strike if such affiliation is granted. [49686/19]

Defence Forces Retirement Scheme

Fiona O'Loughlin

105. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the reason some members of the Defence Forces must retire at 50 years of age; if the matter is being examined in the context of the retention crisis in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49771/19]

Defence Forces Representative Organisations

Thomas P. Broughan

106. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will report on the affiliation of a union (details supplied) to another union; when the affiliation will be approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49778/19]

Defence Forces Remuneration

Thomas P. Broughan

107. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if a Gleeson style commission will be established on the pay and conditions in the Defence Forces; if so, if it will review contracts, duty allowances and technical payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49779/19]

Departmental Reports

Shane Cassells

108. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of external consultant reports commissioned by his Department in each year from March 2011 to 2018 and to date in 2019; the cost of each report; the company involved; and the title and publication date by report in tabular form. [49901/19]

Naval Service Data

Fiona O'Loughlin

109. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of days spent at sea by members of the Naval Service Reserve to date in 2019. [50007/19]

Defence Forces Medicinal Products

Jack Chambers

110. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the details of the drawdown of anti-malarial drugs prescribed to individual Defence Forces members operating in sub-Saharan Africa in 2017, 2018 and to date in 2019; the number of troops prescribed each drug, respectively, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50010/19]

Defence Forces Training

Thomas P. Broughan

111. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if funding has been provided in 2020 for the refurbishment of the military hospital at the Defence Forces training centre, Curragh, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50013/19]

Legislative Measures

Barry Cowen

112. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of Bills sponsored by his Department that have been enacted since November 2013, in tabular form. [50316/19]

Defence Forces Expenditure

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

113. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the operational non-pay budget for the Air Corps is less than 2% of the Defence Vote in view of his recent decision to temporarily shut down the helicopter operation in Athlone, County Westmeath. [50343/19]

Passport Data

Catherine Martin

114. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of passports issued in each of the past five years to high net worth individuals that planned to invest here; the details of such persons; the investments of each; and his plans to review the enabling legislation. [50073/19]

Human Rights

Micheál Martin

115. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on recent reports in the media (details supplied) regarding more than 1 million persons being detained in camps in China; his views on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49786/19]

Departmental Reports

Shane Cassells

116. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of external consultant reports commissioned by his Department in each year from March 2011 to 2018 and to date in 2019; the cost of each report; the company involved; and the title and publication date by report in tabular form. [49905/19]

Middle East Peace Process

Thomas P. Broughan

117. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way in which Ireland is actively working towards bringing about a two-state future for Israel and Palestine further to his statement on Israeli settlements policy of 20 November 2019; if there are further developments on foot of earlier meetings he has held on the peace process for Israel and Palestine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50043/19]

Legislative Measures

Barry Cowen

118. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of Bills sponsored by his Department that have been enacted since November 2013, in tabular form. [50320/19]

Colombian Peace Process

Éamon Ó Cuív

119. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland has raised concerns with the Colombian authorities directly or at the UN to attacks that are being described as indigenous genocide by reputable persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50409/19]

Pensions Reform

Michael McGrath

120. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance his plans to change the age threshold of 75 years to approved minimum retirement funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49741/19]

Central Bank of Ireland Supervision

Darragh O'Brien

121. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Finance the status of plans to request the Central Bank to conduct an assessment of existing sustainable restructuring solutions across all lenders and non-bank entities operating here. [50056/19]

Vehicle Registration

Michael McGrath

122. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will assist a person (details supplied) in County Cork to resolve a VRT issue that has arisen concerning an imported vehicle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49739/19]

Tax Data

Pearse Doherty

123. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance ·the number of persons availing of flat-rate expenses disaggregated by salary bands and profession in each of the years 2014 to 2018. [49816/19]

Exchequer Revenue

Pearse Doherty

124. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance ·the unallocated revenue available in each of the years 2020 to 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49817/19]

Tax Code

Frank O'Rourke

125. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Finance his views on the proposal by the Revenue Commissioners to rescind the flat-rate tax expense for various categories of workers, in particular for nursing staff in receipt of the FRE, in view of the fact that their uniform is a requirement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49847/19]

Financial Services Regulation

Barry Cowen

126. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Finance if the advisers of a company (details supplied) or companies owned by the company are registered with the Central Bank as a regulated credit firm or credit servicing firm. [49890/19]

Departmental Reports

Shane Cassells

127. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Finance the number of external consultant reports commissioned by his Department in each year from March 2011 to 2018 and to date in 2019; the cost of each report; the company involved; and the title and publication date by report in tabular form. [49904/19]

VAT Payments

Anne Rabbitte

128. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Finance if a consultative forum comprising representatives from the retail, tourism and tax refund sectors together with officials from the Revenue Commissioners, An Garda Síochána and his Department will be established to review the impact of proposed changes to the retail export scheme and to explore alternatives to the introduction of a €175 VAT refund threshold. [50039/19]

VAT Payments

Anne Rabbitte

129. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Finance if he has received communications from the UK Government on the further application by the UK of the retail export scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50040/19]

VAT Payments

Anne Rabbitte

130. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the verification process that has been established across the retail industry here to prevent VAT registered businesses from falsely availing of tax-free shopping in the event the UK applies both the VAT retail export and duty free schemes; and if he has held meetings with the tax back and retail sectors to ensure the misuse of the scheme is minimised. [50041/19]

Exchequer Returns

Pearse Doherty

131. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the projected tax revenue in each of the years 2020 to 2025 in the event of an orderly Brexit by tax category, that is, income, VAT and so on as opposed to a disorderly Brexit as outlined in the economic and fiscal outlook in Budget 2020 in tabular form. [50097/19]

Exchequer Returns

Pearse Doherty

132. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the projected expenditure in each of the years 2020 to 2025 in the event of an orderly Brexit by expenditure category, that is, compensation of employees, interest expenditure and so on as opposed to a disorderly Brexit as outlined in the economic and fiscal outlook in Budget 2020 in tabular form. [50098/19]

Fiscal Data

Pearse Doherty

133. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the level of capital expenditure required for gross fixed capital formation to account for 3% of GDP in each of the years 2020 to 2025. [50102/19]

Exchequer Returns

Pearse Doherty

134. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the resources available in the event of an orderly Brexit after projected and pre-committed expenditure in each of the years 2020 to 2025 in order to reach a GGB as a percentage of GDP by percentage (details supplied) in tabular form. [50103/19]

Exchequer Returns

Pearse Doherty

135. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the resources available in the event of an orderly Brexit after projected and pre-committed expenditure in each of the years 2020 to 2025 in order to reach a structural balance of -0.5 in tabular form. [50104/19]

General Government Debt

Pearse Doherty

136. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the projected cost of Government borrowing in each of the years 2020 to 2025. [50105/19]

Banking Sector

Willie Penrose

137. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance when a report (details supplied) into local public banking will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50136/19]

VAT Rate Application

Pearse Doherty

138. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the estimated cost of reducing the rate of VAT on electricity energy products and supplies from 13.5% to 9% and 0%, respectively, in each of the years 2020 to 2025. [50164/19]

VAT Rate Application

Pearse Doherty

139. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the estimated cost of reducing the rate of VAT on telephone bills and charges from 23% to 17.5%, 13.5%, 9% and 0%, respectively, in each of the years 2020 to 2025. [50165/19]

VAT Rate Application

Pearse Doherty

140. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the estimated cost of reducing the rate of VAT on Internet bills and charges from 23% to 17.5%, 13.5%, 9% and 0%, respectively, in each of the years 2020 to 2025. [50166/19]

VAT Rate Application

Pearse Doherty

141. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the estimated cost of reducing the rate of VAT on television bills and charges from 23% to 17.5%, 13.5%, 9% and 0%, respectively in each of the years 2020 to 2025. [50167/19]

Tax Code

Michael Healy-Rae

142. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the capital aquisitions tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50181/19]

Corporation Tax

Catherine Martin

143. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Finance his views on a minimum effective corporate tax rate within the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50301/19]

Legislative Measures

Barry Cowen

144. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Finance the number of Bills sponsored by his Department that have been enacted since November 2013, in tabular form. [50319/19]

VAT Payments

Robert Troy

145. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Finance his views on concerns raised with regard to proposed changes to the retail export scheme as per correspondence (details supplied); and if he is considering establishing a consultative forum involving representatives from the various bodies suggested. [50385/19]

Banking Sector Data

Éamon Ó Cuív

146. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Finance the investment made by the State in the covered institutions during the financial crisis by institution; the amount that has been recouped to date from the institutions; the value of residual investment by the State in the institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50407/19]

NAMA Bonds

Éamon Ó Cuív

147. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Finance the investment by the State by way of promissory notes, bonds or Exchequer investment in NAMA during the financial crisis; the amount recouped to date; the value of the remaining investment in NAMA at current market value; the expected final surplus from NAMA when it winds up; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50408/19]

Superannuation Schemes

Michael McGrath

148. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a matter raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) in County Cork in relation to superannuation pensions policy will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49802/19]

Government Expenditure

Pearse Doherty

149. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the expenditure required to respond to demographic pressures across each Department in each of the years 2020 to 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49818/19]

Government Expenditure

Pearse Doherty

150. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the projected pre-committed expenditure in each of the years 2020 to 2025 in the event of an orderly Brexit by pre-committed spending categories of demographics, the Public Service Stability Agreement, carryover costs for budget 2019 and 2020 and pre-committed capital expenditure, in tabular form. [50099/19]

Brexit Expenditure

Pearse Doherty

151. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Brexit contingency funding allocated in each of the years 2020 to 2025 as outlined in table 11 of the economic and fiscal outlook in budget 2020 will be allocated in the event of an orderly Brexit. [50100/19]

Government Expenditure

Pearse Doherty

152. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the pre-committed capital expenditure in each of the years 2020 to 2025. [50101/19]

Cross-Border Projects

Brendan Smith

153. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the outcome of the most recent discussions held with departments and agencies in Northern Ireland in relation to cross-Border projects part funded by his Department or agencies under the remit of his Department in view of the possible impacts of Brexit on cross-Border development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50183/19]

Cross-Border Projects

Brendan Smith

154. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the outcome of discussions held with the departments and agencies in Northern Ireland in relation to the development of projects on a cross-Border basis post-2020 which will be part funded by his Department or agencies under the remit of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50184/19]

Departmental Operations

Micheál Martin

155. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will report on the commitment in A Programme for A Partnership Government on transparent oversight of Departmental performance. [50123/19]

Ministerial Transport

Michael McGrath

156. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the members of the Thirty-second Dáil Éireann and Twenty-fifth Seanad Éireann that have drivers paid for by the Exchequer in each year since 2016, in tabular form; the number of drivers employed for this purpose; the salary costs; the amount claimed by way of mileage by the member concerned in circumstances in which their own vehicle is being used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49697/19]

Telephone Call Charges

Paul Murphy

157. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to abolish the daily telephone allowance for travel inside the European Union in view of the fact that roaming charges have been abolished. [49736/19]

Oireachtas Members' Expenses

Paul Murphy

158. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason Deputies and Senators continue to be paid enhanced subsistence rates for overseas travel. [49737/19]

Office of Public Works Data

Tom Neville

159. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the income raised in each of the past ten years from tickets sales to Office of Public Works heritage sites by heritage site. [49829/19]

Office of Public Works Projects

Catherine Murphy

160. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position in relation to conciliation between OPW and a company (details supplied) in respect of Kevin Street Garda station; if the matter is being mediated; if legal proceedings have commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49850/19]

Departmental Reports

Shane Cassells

161. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of external consultant reports commissioned by his Department in each year from March 2011 to 2018 and to date in 2019; the cost of each report; the company involved; and the title and publication date by report in tabular form. [49909/19]

Public Procurement Regulations

Robert Troy

162. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on the recommendations in a report (details supplied) with regard to improving SME access to public procurement contracts; if his officials examined the proposal; and the findings of same. [50027/19]

Public Procurement Regulations

Robert Troy

163. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on the recommendations in a report (details supplied) with regard to improving SME access to public procurement contracts; if his officials examined the proposal; and the findings of same. [50028/19]

Public Procurement Regulations

Robert Troy

164. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on the recommendations in a report (details supplied) with regard to improving SME access to public procurement contracts; if his officials examined the proposal; and the findings of same. [50029/19]

Public Procurement Regulations

Robert Troy

165. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on the recommendations in a report (details supplied) with regard to improving SME access to public procurement contracts; if his officials examined the proposal; and the findings of same. [50030/19]

Public Procurement Regulations

Robert Troy

166. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on the recommendations in a report (details supplied) with regard to improving SME access to public procurement contracts; if his officials examined the proposals; and the findings of same. [50031/19]