Parliamentary questions

Air Quality

Pat Deering

305. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health if he has commissioned a study or research into the number of persons negatively impacted by NOx emissions from diesel vehicles since 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53614/19]

Air Quality

Pat Deering

306. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health the cost to the public health system as a result of health-related cases linked to NOx emissions from diesel vehicles since 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53615/19]

Air Quality

Pat Deering

307. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health the impact of diesel NOx emissions on the public health system in terms of chronic breathing problems and related illnesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53616/19]

VAT Rebates

Pat Deering

116. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Finance the rate of VAT rebate at the point of sale paid to regular farmers, feedlot farmers and factory owned feedlots; his views on whether there is an imbalance in the rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52697/19]

Beef Industry

Pat Deering

497. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications submitted to the BEAM scheme; the breakdown between suckler and beef finishers; the amount required to meet the demand; the amount unspent; and if he will consider reopening the scheme. [52692/19]

Beef Industry

Pat Deering

498. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which the criteria for the BEAM scheme was devised; and his views on whether the criteria were too stringent in view of the fact some funds remain unspent. [52693/19]

Data Protection

Pat Deering

499. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the data protection measures in place to ensure information stored in animal identification and movement systems cannot be accessed by persons or systems other than relevant Departmental officials. [52694/19]

TB Eradication Scheme

Pat Deering

500. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of registered feedlots nationwide; the breakdown between farmer owned and factory owned feedlots; the number of livestock registered to feedlots; and the breakdown of the figure between farmer and factory owned. [52695/19]

Beef Industry

Pat Deering

537. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his view on whether there is an unfairness in the flat rate of VAT refund (details supplied) between feedlot beef producers and small and medium-sized beef producers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53185/19]

Local Authority Housing Data

Pat Deering

766. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of Part 8 schemes commenced in each local authority area by county in each year since 2016, in tabular form; the number of housing units on each site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53176/19]

Local Authority Housing Data

Pat Deering

767. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of hectares each local authority owns that is zoned for housing, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53177/19]

Local Authority Housing Data

Pat Deering

768. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of sites each local authority has available to it for housing; the number of sites that have Part 8 planning processes proceeding; the number of units each site represents, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53178/19]

Help-To-Buy Scheme Expenditure

Pat Deering

61. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Finance the estimated cost in 2019, 2020 and 2021 of the help-to-buy scheme. [52493/19]

Living City Initiative

Pat Deering

62. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Finance the cost in tax forgone of the living cities initiative. [52494/19]

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Pat Deering

107. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost in each of the years 2021 to 2025 of maintaining the existing ratios of teachers to students at post-primary level; if this is provided for in the figures set out within the summer economic statement and budget 2020 financial projections; the number of new teachers that would need to be hired to maintain the ratio; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52491/19]

Housing Finance Agency Funding

Pat Deering

366. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the cost in 2018 and to date in 2019 as a result of the Housing Finance Agency drawdown of long-term debt to fund the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme; and the expected future cost. [52490/19]

Local Authority Staff Recruitment

Pat Deering

367. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the estimated cost to a local authority of hiring a grade seven member of staff in year one and then for four subsequent years. [52492/19]

Repair and Leasing Scheme

Pat Deering

368. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the cost of the repair and leasing scheme in 2018; and the expected cost in 2019 and 2020. [52495/19]

Repair and Leasing Scheme

Pat Deering

369. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the estimated cost of extending the repair and leasing scheme to properties for long-term private rent. [52496/19]

Speech and Language Therapy Provision

Pat Deering

233. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) will receive speech and language therapy. [52023/19]

Local Authority Housing Data

Pat Deering

312. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of homes allocated by each local authority in the past 12 months, in tabular form; the number of refusals of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52091/19]

Film Industry Development

Pat Deering

695. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the progress made on making Ireland a global hub for film, television drama and animation since the launch of the audiovisual action plan in 2018 with a particular reference to the growing animation sector in counties Carlow and Kilkenny; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51769/19]

Student Universal Support Ireland Data

Pat Deering

124. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of increasing each SUSI grant by 1%, 5% and 10%, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51055/19]

Student Universal Support Ireland Data

Pat Deering

125. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of reducing the non-adjacent SUSI grant distance from college by 1, 2, 5, 10 and 15 kilometres, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51056/19]

Student Universal Support Ireland Data

Pat Deering

126. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of increasing the thresholds for the SUSI grant for PLC students by €1,000, €2,000, €3,000, €4,000, €5,000, €6,000 and €7,000, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51057/19]

Student Universal Support Ireland Data

Pat Deering

127. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of increasing the thresholds for the SUSI grant for undergraduate students by €1,000, €2,000, €3,000, €4,000, €5,000, €6,000 and €7,000, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51058/19]

Student Universal Support Ireland Data

Pat Deering

128. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of increasing the thresholds for the SUSI grant for postgraduate students by €1,000, €2,000, €3,000, €4,000, €5,000, €6,000 and €7,000, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51059/19]

Student Universal Support Ireland Data

Pat Deering

129. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of increasing the thresholds for the SUSI grant for students outside the State by €1,000, €2,000, €3,000, €4,000, €5,000, €6,000 and €7,000, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51060/19]

Local Improvement Scheme Funding

Pat Deering

358. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of future allocations under the local improvement scheme; the impact which the scheme has in counties such as County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50691/19]

Town and Village Renewal Scheme

Pat Deering

359. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when he plans to make a further call for applications for funding under the town and village renewal scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50692/19]

Employment Rights

Pat Deering

44. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the work she is carrying out in respect of the right to disconnect; if she will consider the development of guidelines for employers and employees in the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50130/19]

Flexible Work Practices

Pat Deering

65. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if proposals will be brought forward to encourage remote working among businesses; her views on the way in which remote working can support regional development in counties such as County Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50129/19]

Tobacco Control Measures

Pat Deering

347. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health if he has examined the experience of certain US states in which they have increased the age that a person can buy tobacco from 18 to 21 years of age; and if such a move is permissible here. [49826/19]

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Pat Deering

15. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the impact the provision of high-speed broadband in rural areas will have on remote working and flexible working arrangements; the impact this may have in tackling climate change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49341/19]

Broadband Service Provision

Pat Deering

33. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the anticipated expansion of the digital economy; the role broadband will play in allowing Ireland, particularly in rural areas, to take full advantage of the opportunities of the digital economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49342/19]

Legislative Programme

Pat Deering

132. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the status of the companies (corporate enforcement authority) Bill; if the Bill is ready for publication; if so, when it will be published; and if she will consider publishing it in draft form. [49472/19]

Work Permits Data

Pat Deering

254. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the status of work permits for a company (details supplied); if the quotas for general employment permits for meat processing operatives will be extended; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48749/19]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Pat Deering

336. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 138 of 23 October 2019, if it is standard practice that a person (details supplied) would be waiting in excess of three and a half years to have a MRI; and if so, the reason therefor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49021/19]

Farm Enterprises

Pat Deering

182. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the funding beef farm enterprises will exclusively receive in each scheme in 2019 both pillar one and two and schemes outside the RDP; the amount this funding equates to per animal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48399/19]

Services for People with Disabilities

Pat Deering

178. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when funding will become available to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47886/19]

Home Care Packages Administration

Pat Deering

187. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be assessed by the HSE for further homecare hours. [47981/19]

Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Appeals

Pat Deering

232. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the appeals process for the ANC scheme; when those in the appeals process will receive a decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48024/19]

Better Energy Homes Scheme

Pat Deering

254. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the grants and supports available to homeowners that need to carry out deep retrofit work on their homes to complete multiple energy upgrades to achieve a BER A rating on the property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48052/19]

HSE Reports

Pat Deering

410. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health the status of the sodium valproate rapid assessment report (details supplied) completed by the HSE; when it will be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47545/19]

Audiology Services Provision

Pat Deering

429. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an audiology appointment in a local clinic. [47625/19]

Hospital Appointments Status

Pat Deering

317. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Carlow will be seen in the gastroenterology clinic of St. Luke's General Hospital, Kilkenny. [46117/19]

Beef Industry

Pat Deering

166. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the provision of an independent sectoral regulator in the beef and retail sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45798/19]

Departmental Schemes

Pat Deering

46. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans for the built heritage investment scheme and historic structures fund for 2019 and 2020; the level of interest in both schemes in counties Carlow and Kilkenny; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45364/19]

Departmental Funding

Pat Deering

57. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the funding that has been provided to arts and culture centres in counties Carlow and Kilkenny; the capital investment that will be available in the coming years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45365/19]

Hospital Appointments Status

Pat Deering

524. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment for an MRI scan at Waterford University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44573/19]

Hospital Appointments Status

Pat Deering

525. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be given a date for an operation. [44574/19]

Services for People with Disabilities

Pat Deering

583. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health the status of the new building for a centre (details supplied) for children with special needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44790/19]

Town and Village Renewal Scheme

Pat Deering

14. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the town and village renewal scheme; the role the scheme has in rural areas of County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43814/19]

Departmental Funding

Pat Deering

39. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to allocate funding in 2019 for the various agricultural shows; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43815/19]

Hospital Facilities

Pat Deering

162. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when work on the new 20-bed cystic fibrosis unit at Beaumont Hospital will commence; when it will be completed; and when it will be fully operational in view of the fact it was included in the programme for partnership Government in May 2016. [43878/19]

Hospital Appointments Status

Pat Deering

138. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be seen by a knee consultant in County Waterford. [43689/19]

Health Services Provision

Pat Deering

147. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health the entitlements for a person (details supplied); if prosthesis is available; if so, the waiting time for this service; if it is covered under medical card scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43729/19]

Teaching Contracts

Pat Deering

17. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Education and Skills if teaching principals in small and medium schools will be supported in recognition of their administrative responsibilities. [42603/19]

School Curriculum

Pat Deering

26. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for his decision to give history special core status. [42604/19]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Pat Deering

204. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment. [42727/19]

Climate Change Policy

Pat Deering

70. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the key elements of the climate action plan 2019 which will put Ireland on a course for carbon neutrality without compromising capacity for food production. [28561/19]

IDA Ireland Jobs Data

Pat Deering

20. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of new jobs created by the IDA in 2018; the percentage of these jobs which were outside Dublin; the efforts being made to increase IDA employment in County Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40966/19]

Regional Enterprise Development Fund Data

Pat Deering

37. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of applications received under the 2019 regional enterprise development fund; when she plans to announce successful applicants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40964/19]

State Pensions Reform

Pat Deering

459. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans for social welfare payments for persons obliged to retire at 65 years of age as the State pension age increases to 67 years of age and over. [40610/19]

Departmental Properties

Pat Deering

56. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of houses owned by his Department in counties Cork, Limerick and Dublin. [39096/19]

Town and Village Renewal Scheme

Pat Deering

185. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the 2019 town and village renewal scheme will be announced. [39098/19]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Pat Deering

1013. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be seen in Tallaght University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35705/19]

Legislative Measures

Pat Deering

112. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the secondary legislation enacted since 1 January 2018; and if the legislation in each case placed additional regulatory burdens on small and medium enterprises. [31491/19]

Regulatory Impact Assessment Data

Pat Deering

154. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Finance the secondary legislation enacted since 1 January 2018; and if the legislation in each case placed additional regulatory burdens on small and medium-sized enterprises. [31490/19]

Legislative Measures

Pat Deering

276. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the secondary legislation enacted since 1 January 2018; and if the legislation in each case placed additional regulatory burdens on small and medium enterprises. [31495/19]

Legislative Programme

Pat Deering

661. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the secondary legislation enacted since 1 January 2018; and if the legislation in each case placed additional regulatory burdens on small and medium enterprises. [31494/19]

Legislative Measures

Pat Deering

1065. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health the secondary legislation enacted since 1 January 2018; and if the legislation in each case placed additional regulatory burdens on small and medium enterprises. [31492/19]

Hospital Appointments Status

Pat Deering

1074. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be seen by a plastic surgeon in St. James's Hospital. [31546/19]

Hospital Appointments Status

Pat Deering

1095. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Carlow will be seen in University Hospital Waterford following a report. [31704/19]

Legislative Measures

Pat Deering

2330. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the secondary legislation enacted since 1 January 2018; and if the legislation in each case placed additional regulatory burdens on small and medium enterprises. [31497/19]

Legislative Programme

Pat Deering

2602. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the secondary legislation enacted since 1 January 2018; and if the legislation in each case placed additional regulatory burdens on small and medium enterprises. [31496/19]

Legislative Programme

Pat Deering

2850. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the secondary legislation enacted since 1 January 2018; and if the legislation in each case placed additional regulatory burdens on small and medium enterprises. [31493/19]

Departmental Strategies

Pat Deering

26. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans for the development of a national strategy to support the community and voluntary sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30085/19]

Departmental Schemes

Pat Deering

35. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to help those communities in need of assistance towards formulating proposals for funding under various programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30086/19]

Medical Card Applications

Pat Deering

660. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will have a decision on the person's application for a medical card. [31158/19]

Invalidity Pension Applications

Pat Deering

929. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a person (details supplied) will have a decision on an application for invalidity. [31412/19]

Schools Building Projects Status

Pat Deering

208. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an extension approved for a school (details supplied) in April 2017; the status of applications for a further extension or changes to that already approved in relation to the school. [29152/19]

School Transport Provision

Pat Deering

221. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Education and Skills if special supports will be provided to a child (details supplied). [29263/19]

Respite Care Services Provision

Pat Deering

349. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health if additional respite nights will be provided for a person (details supplied). [29098/19]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Pat Deering

379. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Carlow will be seen in the ophthalmology department of University Hospital Waterford following a report by a doctor. [29280/19]

Climate Change Adaptation Plans

Pat Deering

32. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the climate action fund; when a further call for applications will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28560/19]

Beef Exports

Pat Deering

55. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the potential opportunities for the beef sector in recently opened markets and in the context of trade deals negotiated at EU level in recent times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28266/19]

Climate Change Adaptation Plans

Pat Deering

61. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of the climate action adaptation plan recently launched by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28271/19]

Equal Opportunities Employment

Pat Deering

661. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to review and extend the workplace adaptation grant to those on community employment schemes, particularly for those that are vison impaired; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28030/19]

Free Travel Scheme Eligibility

Pat Deering

674. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to examine and change the eligibility criteria for access to the free travel scheme to include those with a long-term eye condition which means their level of vision does not meet the criteria to get a driver licence in order that they avail of the free travel scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28108/19]

Industrial Development

Pat Deering

27. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the status of Future Jobs Ireland 2019 further to its launch; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27103/19]

National Broadband Plan

Pat Deering

30. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the estimated impact the national broadband plan will have on transforming business in rural Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27102/19]

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Pat Deering

242. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will issue on an invalidity appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27215/19]

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Pat Deering

261. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will issue on an application for an invalidity payment by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27019/19]

Special Educational Needs Staff Data

Pat Deering

171. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of special needs assistants sacked or who have faced sanctions under the grievance and disciplinary procedures for special needs assistants in recognised primary and post-primary schools 2011; the breakdown of the figures; and his plans to update the procedures. [26161/19]

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Pat Deering

258. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Carlow will receive a decision on an invalidity appeal applied for one year ago; and the reason for the delay from the time of the original application to the appeals decision. [25670/19]

Defence Forces Contracts

Pat Deering

94. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the contractual service and financial obligations on members of the Defence Forces, by category (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25199/19]

Tax Residency

Pat Deering

130. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Finance when a certificate of tax residence will be issued to a person (details supplied). [24832/19]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Pat Deering

167. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Education and Skills the criteria used by schools to determine the need of a child for a National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, assessment; the reason for the difficulty to get an assessment; the reason it is limited to two assessments per school regardless of need or size of school; if more funding will be made available for the assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24838/19]

Hospital Transfers

Pat Deering

297. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be transferred from Waterford University Hospital to Tallaght Hospital for pelvic surgery following an accident. [24855/19]