Parliamentary questions

Medicinal Products Expenditure

Sandra McLellan

187. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health why a person (details supplied) in County Cork is not entitled to have a specific drug, Fampyra, covered by the medical card scheme and the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43315/15]

Nursing Home Services

Billy Kelleher

188. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive will find a permanent placement for a person (details supplied) who no longer can be catered for at his current nursing home, as a matter of urgency; if he will intervene in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43317/15]

Hospital Appointments Status

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

189. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon will receive an appointment in University Hospital Galway. [43318/15]

Ambulance Service Data

Patrick O'Donovan

190. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health the number of ambulance cars in the mid-west area on a 24-hour roster; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43320/15]

Ambulance Service Data

Patrick O'Donovan

191. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health the number of ambulance cars nationally; the location of each; the number that are rostered 24 hours a day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43323/15]

Hospital Appointments Status

Michael Healy-Rae

192. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry who is waiting for treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43340/15]

Speech and Language Therapy Provision

Michael Healy-Rae

193. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a child (details supplied) in County Kerry who is awaiting to be seen for therapy in Tralee, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43344/15]

Hospital Admissions

Denis Naughten

194. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the number of planned day-case and inpatient admissions which were cancelled, by hospital, in each of the years 2013 to 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43360/15]

Services for People with Disabilities

Denis Naughten

195. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the waiting times in the assessment-of-need process under the Disability Act 2005 in Roscommon primary community continuing care; a breakdown of the length of time it takes from receipt of an assessment request by the Health Service Executive to the issuing of a service statement, within six plus to nine, nine plus to 12, 12 plus to 18, 18 plus to 24, 24 plus to 30, 30 plus to 36 and 36 plus months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43361/15]

Services for People with Disabilities

Denis Naughten

196. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the waiting times in the assessment of need process under the Disability Act 2005 in Galway primary community continuing care; the length of time it takes from receipt of an assessment request by the Health Service Executive to the issuing of a service statement, within six plus to nine, nine plus to 12, 12 plus to 18, 18 plus to 24, 24 plus to 30, 30 plus to 36, and 36 plus months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43362/15]

Services for People with Disabilities

Denis Naughten

197. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the waiting times in the assessment of need process under the Disability Act 2005 nationally; the length of time it takes from receipt of an assessment request by the Health Service Executive to the issuing of a service statement, within six plus to nine, nine plus to 12, 12 plus to 18, 18 plus to 24, 24 plus to 30, 30 plus to 36, and 36 plus months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43363/15]

Hospital Appointments Status

Michael Healy-Rae

198. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry who is waiting to have an operation carried out in Kerry General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43365/15]

Medical Aids and Appliances Applications

Michael Healy-Rae

199. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an application for an appliance by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43366/15]

Medical Aids and Appliances Provision

Michael Healy-Rae

200. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry who is waiting to have an appliance fitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43367/15]

Medical Aids and Appliances Provision

Michael Healy-Rae

201. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry who is waiting to have an applicance provided through the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43368/15]

Medical Aids and Appliances Provision

Michael Healy-Rae

202. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry who is a medical card holder and who wishes to obtain a certain item through the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43369/15]

Hospital Appointments Status

Michael Healy-Rae

203. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry who is awaiting treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43371/15]

Hospital Appointments Status

Michael Healy-Rae

204. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of treatment for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43372/15]

Hospital Appointments Status

Michael Healy-Rae

205. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of treatment for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43373/15]

Hospital Appointments Status

Michael Healy-Rae

206. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry who is waiting to have treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43374/15]

Hospital Appointments Status

Michael Healy-Rae

207. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry who is waiting for treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43375/15]

Health and Social Care Professionals Regulation

Shane Ross

208. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Health if he will introduce regulations for the counselling and psychotherapy sector, as supported by the Irish Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy, given that this was promised by the middle of 2015; the reason for the delay; if the absence of clear regulations has resulted in confusion for the general public; if regulations are required to safeguard the most vulnerable in society; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43376/15]

Hospital Staff Recruitment

Tom Fleming

209. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite the proposed appointment of a rheumatoid specialist nurse in Kerry General Hospital, given the increasing number of persons waiting to attend the specialist unit there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43377/15]

General Practitioner Services Provision

Mattie McGrath

210. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the time frame for the restoration of the rural general practitioners allowance to Bansha medical centre in County Tipperary. [43380/15]

Health Services Staff Recruitment

Denis Naughten

211. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the number of neurologists the Health Service Executive has appointed in the past two years; the steps being taken to recruit additional neurologists to speed up appointments and confirmed diagnoses for patients; if he has assessed the impact of delayed diagnoses on the control and management of neurological diseases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43386/15]

Mental Health Services Provision

Denis Naughten

212. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to protect patients and those seeking support from the mental health services, and the impact this is having on the east Galway catchment area, following the comments (details supplied) by the High Court judge, Mr. Justice Tony O'Connor, who described these services in County Roscommon as being in a crisis situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43388/15]

Medical Card Applications Data

Bernard Durkan

213. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the number of applications for medical cards; the number refused and the number pending; the extent to which the number of applications has fluctuated in each of the past five years to date in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43429/15]

Health Services Staff

Bernard Durkan

214. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the number of extra nurses, junior hospital doctors and consultants required throughout the public health service at present; the numbers available, including recent increases; the proposals to achieve optimum ratios of staff to patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43430/15]

Health Services Staff Remuneration

Bernard Durkan

215. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which studies have been carried out into the comparable pay scales between this jurisdiction and adjoining jurisdictions in respect of nurses, doctors and hospital consultants, with a view to ascertaining how best to make a career in the public health service here more attractive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43431/15]

National Children's Hospital

Bernard Durkan

216. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the status of the finalisation of the preparations for the proposed new children's hospital; if savings have been made arising from previous proposals and planning applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43432/15]

Primary Care Centres

Bernard Durkan

217. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which the network of primary care centres will remain sufficient to meet ongoing requirements in urban and rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43433/15]

Primary Care Centres

Bernard Durkan

218. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent of the services available to fully functioning primary care centres, with particular reference to the advantages over the older health centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43434/15]

Primary Care Centres

Bernard Durkan

219. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which evidence exists that primary care centres have been instrumental in intercepting referrals that might otherwise go to outpatient departments in general hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43435/15]

General Practitioner Services Provision

Bernard Durkan

220. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which out-of-hour services, particularly at weekends, remain available or need to be augmented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43436/15]

Hospital Beds Data

Bernard Durkan

221. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the number of available medical and surgical public hospital beds; the extent to which this number has fluctuated over the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43437/15]

Accident and Emergency Services Provision

Bernard Durkan

222. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which he will be able to alleviate the congestion at accident and emergency departments in the public hospital system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43438/15]

Health Insurance Cover

Bernard Durkan

223. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if patients with private health insurance have access to public and-or private health services; if any crossover affects either service in a positive or negative fashion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43439/15]

Health Services Staff Recruitment

Bernard Durkan

224. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health his plans to make a career in the public health sector more attractive in order to encourage newly qualified health professionals to take up a career in this jurisdiction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43440/15]

Primary Care Centres Provision

Bernard Durkan

225. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the number and location of primary care centres currently in operation in County Kildare; the number proposed or pending; the current staffing levels and the levels required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43441/15]

Hospital Accommodation Provision

Bernard Durkan

226. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which the extra accommodation available at Naas General Hospital in County Kildare has been recommissioned, with a view to alleviating overcrowding and trolley occupation in lieu of beds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43442/15]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Bernard Durkan

227. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which waiting lists for elective surgery will be shortened by way of administrative practices, treatment purchase schemes and otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43443/15]

Nursing Staff Recruitment

Bernard Durkan

228. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which the extra nurses required at Naas General Hospital in County Kildare have taken up appointments or are pending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43444/15]

Hospital Services

Bernard Durkan

229. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which all operating theatres at Naas General Hospital in County Kildare are fully utilised and functional; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43445/15]

Orthodontic Services Provision

Bernard Durkan

230. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which orthodontic treatment continues to be made available for children; the number of children on the lists for category one, two, and three treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43446/15]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Bernard Durkan

231. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the number of patients on waiting lists for hip replacements, heart procedures, various transplants and other procedures; if the extent of pain suffered by the patient in the interim can be an accelerant for accessing treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43447/15]

Prescriptions Charges

Bernard Durkan

232. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which prescription costs have fallen or have stabilised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43448/15]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Catherine Murphy

233. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath, who has been given a waiting period of 12 months after diagnosis for treatment to begin; if this case will be reviewed, given its urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43449/15]

Human Rights

Brendan Smith

234. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of the situation of an Irish citizen (details supplied) detained in Egypt; the recent actions he has taken regarding this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43381/15]

Broadband Service Provision

Patrick O'Donovan

235. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will ensure the roll-out of broadband to schools in an area (details supplied) in County Wicklow; when this roll-out will commence, the speed of the broadband being provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43202/15]

Schools Refurbishment

Ciaran Lynch

236. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application for replacement windows and other improvements to a school (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43225/15]

Schools Building Projects Status

Joanna Tuffy

237. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on the building of school extensions for schools (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43226/15]

School Transport Data

John Browne

238. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide in tabular form from the 2010 financial year to 2014, the number of eligible and separately the number of concessionary customers transported each year for these specified sub-divisions: the percentage decrease or increase in customers transported; the percentage decrease or increase in average cost per customer; whether the minimum number of ten or seven for a distinct locality applied for the tabulated years and columns showing the sums paid by the customers and her Department; the percentage saving to the Department and the percentage with separate columns for private operators and Bus Éireann services, as well as for buses and minibuses and separately for taxis transporting children with special transport needs; as part of the school transport scheme's financial years and as part of the provision of bus or taxi transport under the various schemes arranged by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43227/15]

School Transport Administration

John Browne

239. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will impose strict rules determining distinct localities rather than these being decided by Bus Éireann or anybody else on her behalf; if documented and published rules are necessary to avoid inequitable situations and to provide fair and sound administration; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43228/15]

State Examinations Oversight

Catherine Murphy

240. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will retain the prescribed failure rates for honours mathematics in the 2015-16 leaving certificate cycle at 5%; why it was raised to this percentage level in the 2014-15 academic year; if this was as a result of the media coverage following the examination; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43236/15]

State Examinations Exemptions

Catherine Murphy

241. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will extend the exemption for students who fail an examination by a slim margin and who are entitled to a spelling and grammatical exemption to honours mathematics students, given the potential limitations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43237/15]

School Transport Administration

John Browne

242. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of persons who contacted her Department or Bus Éireann with complaints regarding routes or services not being made available due to decisions made regarding what is or is not a distinct locality with a minimum number of ten customers for the route, since the decision-making process was taken over by Bus Éireann; the dates the decision-making process was agreed and commenced by Bus Éireann; the number of routes that have been discontinued as a result of the ten-customer rule; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43241/15]

Cyberbullying Issues

Derek Nolan

243. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will introduce an awareness and educational programme on cyberbullying in post-primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43250/15]

Emergency Works Scheme Applications

Dara Calleary

244. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills why a school (details supplied) in County Mayo has been denied emergency funding; the criteria for eligibility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43255/15]

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Robert Troy

245. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding allowing correspondence from the Department of Social Protection as proof of address for applications to Student Universal Support Ireland. [43256/15]

Teaching Qualifications

Charlie McConalogue

246. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will ensure that the selection process for teacher qualifications at second level includes steps to ensure an adequate supply of teachers of core subjects on the curriculum. [43294/15]

Teaching Qualifications

Charlie McConalogue

247. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on the shortage of qualified Irish language teachers at second level; and how the situation is being addressed. [43295/15]

Special Educational Needs Data

Michael McGrath

248. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 208 of 5 November 2015, if she will arrange for the reply to be forwarded. [43303/15]

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Fergus O'Dowd

249. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a primary school which is due to lose a teacher in September 2016 due to changes in the pupil-teacher ratio leaving the school one pupil short, given that the loss of the teacher will result in an extra large class with a number of pupils needing learning support; if the school can appeal this decision, given an expected increase in pupil numbers in 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43309/15]

Schools Building Projects Status

Denis Naughten

250. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the plans for the construction of a new post primary school for a location (details supplied) in County Roscommon; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43311/15]

Disadvantaged Status

Denis Naughten

251. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a DEIS post primary school retains DEIS status on amalgamation with a non-DEIS school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43312/15]

School Transport Provision

John Browne

252. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will clarify the rules of entitlement relating to the provision of school transport for children with disabilities so that these rules can be applied fairly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43328/15]

Home Tuition Scheme Provision

Tom Fleming

253. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide home tuition for a child (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43330/15]

Further Education and Training Programmes

Pearse Doherty

254. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of further education and training courses available, by education and training board, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43337/15]

Education and Training Boards

Pearse Doherty

255. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the full-time, part-time, evening, and online courses provided by Donegal Education and Training Board, by category, by location, by intake number to each course, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43338/15]

School Accommodation Provision

Billy Timmins

256. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools renting prefabricated units and the number of these that are newly rented, and purchased, by cost, by school, by county, since January 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43345/15]

Schools Building Projects Status

Denis Naughten

257. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a building project (details supplied) in County Roscommon, and when it is expected to be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43347/15]

School Staff

Éamon Ó Cuív

258. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps she will take to ensure the future and ethos of the small minority faith schools in rural Ireland and to ensure they have adequate staff numbers; the number of these schools that have one, two, or more than two mainstream classroom teachers; the changes made to the pupil-teacher ratio for these schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43354/15]

School Accommodation Provision

Róisín Shortall

259. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills the exact boundaries upon which projections for the demand for new schools in Dublin are based and the specific criteria and data within these boundaries that are used to identify whether a need exists or not; the banding or ranking system that applies to how resources are allocated, once a need is identified, to ascertain which schools get funded first; and how this process was utilised in the recent announcement of funding for schools in Dublin. [43378/15]

Stádas Thionscadail Tógála Scoileanna

Éamon Ó Cuív

260. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna Chun a fhiafraí den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna an bhfuil conraitheoir ceaptha le foirgneamh scoile nua a thógáil (sonraí thíos); má tá, cén conraitheoir a bheidh ag déanamh na oibre; cén uair a thósóidh an obair ar an scoil; cén uair a chríochnóidh an obair; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [43390/15]

Third Level Staff Data

Finian McGrath

261. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of absenteeism in third level colleges (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43410/15]

Special Educational Needs Staff Remuneration

Patrick O'Donovan

262. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the payroll payment for substitute Special Needs Assistant duties will be made for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43453/15]

School Holidays

Michael Healy-Rae

263. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding schools returning in August; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43454/15]

Marine Plan Implementation

Anne Ferris

264. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of the marine spatial plan; if it will include areas deemed favourable for the location of offshore wind farms; if designations will be preceded by visual impact studies from the shore; if in making such designations the Marine Institute will take on board the tourism value of views off areas such as Bray Head and Greystones in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43339/15]

Social and Affordable Housing Provision

Terence Flanagan

265. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding affordable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43251/15]

Departmental Correspondence

Charlie McConalogue

266. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when a reply will issue to correspondence (details supplied) regarding homes affected by mica; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43301/15]

An Bord Pleanála Appeals

Michael McGrath

267. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in a case where An Bord Pleanála decides against the recommendation of the board's planning inspector, if he will confirm the documentation an appellant is entitled to which is not published online such as the minutes of the meeting where the decision was made and any working papers used by the board; his plans to improve transparency in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43316/15]

Planning Issues

Catherine Murphy

268. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the six local authority planning inquiries are proceeding; the stage each is at; if interim reports have been delivered to him; if he will share the findings; the expected completion date of each investigation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43336/15]

Security of the Elderly

Éamon Ó Cuív

269. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the funding made available in each year since 2011 for the provision of alarms, pendants and other security devices for the elderly under the relevant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43355/15]

Leader Programmes Applications

Éamon Ó Cuív

270. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the spend incurred under the Leader programme 2007 to 2013; the original allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43356/15]

Local Authority Housing Rents

Denis Naughten

271. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government why the 15% of income cap for State pensioners has not been applied to the differential rent scheme operated by local authorities as part of the revision of rents; if such a cap should be applied to other sources of income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43383/15]

Broadband Service Speeds

Robert Troy

272. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when Rathcaled and Ballynacarrigy, County Westmeath, will have access to broadband and high speed broadband. [43242/15]

Broadband Service Speeds

Robert Troy

273. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when Castletown and Finnea, County Westmeath, will have access to high speed broadband, given that at present there is extremely limited telephone and Internet coverage leaving persons in that area at a considerable disadvantage. [43243/15]

Postal Codes

Michael McGrath

274. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the operation of Eircode to date; if the system is being fully used by An Post; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43245/15]

Road Safety

Jim Daly

275. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the provision of traffic route lighting on the Bandon bypass in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43248/15]

Swimming Pool Programme Applications

Bernard Durkan

276. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of discussions between his Department, Kildare County Council and the authorities at Maynooth College in County Kildare regarding proposals for a new swimming pool in north Kildare; if it will be a public pool or if it will provide shared facilities with ready public access; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43421/15]

Voluntary Bog Purchase Scheme

Tony McLoughlin

277. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when a decision will be made on the applications under the voluntary bog purchase scheme regarding sites in category 2 natural heritage areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43306/15]

Appointments to State Boards

Catherine Murphy

278. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht why she has not advertised the vacant position on the board of the Irish Film Board; when she intends to do it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43333/15]

Film Industry

Catherine Murphy

279. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if women producers are adequately represented in the Irish film industry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43334/15]

Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge

Éamon Ó Cuív

280. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cé mhéad airgead a íocadh amach faoi Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge i 2010 le hais 2015; cén soláthar atá ann don scéim seo i 2016; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [43348/15]

Seirbhísí Eitilte

Éamon Ó Cuív

281. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cé na comhráite a bhí aici le páirtithe leasmhara go dtí seo maidir leis an gconradh nua don tSeirbhís Aeir go dtí Oileáin Árann a bheidh á chur amach ar tairiscint an bhliain seo chugainn; cé leis a raibh na comhráite; cén toradh a bhí orthu; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [43349/15]

Foireann Roinne

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

282. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Chun a fhiafraí den Aire Gaeltachta cad é an líon post i Roinn na Gaeltachta atá folamh, cad iad na poist atá i gceist, cé chomh fada is atá siad folamh agus cad iad na céimeanna atá á nglacadh aige chun na folúntais a líonadh. [43350/15]

Foras na Gaeilge

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

283. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cad é an líon post i bhForas na Gaeilge atá folamh, cad iad na poist atá i gceist, cé chomh fada is atá siad folamh agus cad iad na céimeanna atá á nglacadh aici chun na folúntais a líonadh. [43351/15]

Údarás na Gaeltachta

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

284. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cad é an líon post in Údarás na Gaeltachta atá folamh, cad iad na poist atá i gceist, cé chomh fada is atá siad folamh agus cad iad na céimeanna atá á nglacadh aici chun na folúntais a líonadh. [43352/15]

Preschool Services

Robert Troy

1. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs why there has been a delay in the publication of inspection and quality regulations for preschools; when these will be published; and if all registrations of preschool providers will be completed within the statutory three-year timeframe. [42947/15]

Early Childhood Care Education

Sandra McLellan

2. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs how he will ensure that preschool places are made available for children who have turned three years of age and whose parents are seeking to enrol them in the early childhood care and education scheme in January or April 2017, given the likelihood that many early years education and care settings will be full with the cohort enrolled in September 2016. [43043/15]