Parliamentary questions

Architectural Qualifications

Áine Collins

91. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to establish a board to examine the credentials of architects and if established practitioners would qualify under a new regulation of the special entry route, given that Architects Alliance of Ireland has made an updated submission. [4538/16]

Agriculture Scheme Applications

Áine Collins

219. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 216 of 19 January 2016 to set out the status of applications by a person (details supplied) in County Cork under the old young farmers scheme. [4008/16]

Defence Forces Records

Áine Collins

99. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Defence when he will open applications for cadets to the Naval Service. [3400/16]

Dental Services

Áine Collins

152. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Health why dental hygienists cannot practise on their own but only as part of a dental practice, given that dental hygiene is a separate profession. [3407/16]

School Transport Eligibility

Áine Collins

176. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a school (details supplied) in County Cork. [3459/16]

Single Payment Scheme Payments

Áine Collins

193. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine why a person (details supplied) has not received payment under the single payment scheme, given that the person understands from a Teagasc adviser that it has been sanctioned but there is some issue with payments to a limited company. [2901/16]

Basic Payment Scheme Payments

Áine Collins

201. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive payment under the single payment scheme. [2936/16]

Tax Data

Áine Collins

56. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Finance the cost of increasing the group A tax free thresholds (details supplied) to €308,000 and to €500,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2598/16]

Tax Relief Costs

Áine Collins

57. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Finance the cost of increasing the small gift exemption from €500 to €650; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2599/16]

Tax Code

Áine Collins

58. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Finance the costs arising from a reduction in capital gains tax to 10% on the first €10 million of gains arising on chargeable business assets acquired from 1 January 2017 and held for five years, in each of the years 2017 to 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2630/16]

Tax Code

Áine Collins

59. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Finance the costs arising from a reduction in capital gains tax from the application of a lower rate of 20% from 1 January 2017 to gains arising on investment in companies availing of the employment and investment incentive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2631/16]

Single Payment Scheme Appeals

Áine Collins

211. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the non-payments under the single payment scheme and the areas of natural constraint scheme for 2015 and the part-payment for these in 2014 will be resolved for a person (details supplied) in County Cork based on a recent announcement which stated that no penalties would accrue to persons who were unjustly penalised for alleged ineligible lands. [1848/16]

Agriculture Scheme Payments

Áine Collins

216. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine why a person (details supplied) in County Cork has not received a young farmer's payment which the person was informed was approved before Christmas 2015. [1879/16]

Single Payment Scheme Payments

Áine Collins

232. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) will receive a payment under the single payment scheme. [2049/16]

Single Payment Scheme Payments

Áine Collins

250. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a payment to a person (details supplied) in County Cork under the single payment scheme. [2213/16]

Agriculture Scheme Payments

Áine Collins

316. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of applications by a person (details supplied) in County Cork under the area aid scheme and the suckler cow scheme. [46519/15]

Agriculture Scheme Payments

Áine Collins

321. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive payment under the old young farmer scheme. [46557/15]

Agriculture Scheme Payments

Áine Collins

322. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive an agricultural payment. [46558/15]

Agriculture Scheme Payments

Áine Collins

323. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when persons (details supplied) in County Cork will receive a farm payment. [46559/15]

Renewable Energy Incentives

Áine Collins

903. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the incentives available to promote solar energy, and how he will encourage greater participation by companies and persons in the industry. [1479/16]

Commercial Rates Exemptions

Áine Collins

73. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will request the Valuation Office to reassess the rateable valuation on the Green Glens equestrian arena in Millstreet, County Cork, given that this is a horse breeding facility which is an exempt development and only hosts equine events three to four times in the year. [45573/15]

Agriculture Scheme Payments

Áine Collins

239. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) will receive payment under the young farmers scheme. [45313/15]

Basic Payment Scheme Eligibility

Áine Collins

239. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive a payment under the single payment scheme. [43774/15]

Registration of Title

Áine Collins

82. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when a file in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be finalised by the Land Registry. [43150/15]

Single Payment Scheme Applications

Áine Collins

273. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a single payment will issue to a person (details supplied). [42616/15]

Agriculture Scheme Payments

Áine Collins

282. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when persons (details supplied) in County Cork will receive a farm payment. [41806/15]

Credit Union Regulation

Áine Collins

197. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Finance his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the commencement of the Consultation Paper 88 regulation. [40119/15]

Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears

Áine Collins

177. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Finance the options available for a couple in mortgage distress who have been working with the Irish Mortgage Holders Association for the past two years but who are unable to get a long-term payment plan. [39126/15]

National Minimum Wage

Áine Collins

214. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the minimum wage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39366/15]

Prescriptions Charges

Áine Collins

451. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Health his views on reducing the current cap on prescription costs for seriously disabled persons from €25 to €10. [39573/15]

Basic Payment Scheme Applications

Áine Collins

475. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [38261/15]

EU Regulations

Áine Collins

1111. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government why it is necessary to confine the period for bush burning to such a limited timespan. [38334/15]

Taxi Regulations

Áine Collins

1189. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason applicants in isolated rural areas are finding it difficult to obtain a rural local area hackney licence; why the current system is not working; why the National Transport Authority is not currently issuing either ordinary taxi licences or hackney licences. [38305/15]

Wildlife Regulations

Áine Collins

1196. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht why it is necessary to confine the period for bush burning to such a limited time span. [38333/15]

Basic Payment Scheme Payments

Áine Collins

304. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive a payment under the single farm area aid and forestry scheme. [36211/15]

TAMS Payments

Áine Collins

321. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when persons (details supplied) in County Cork will receive a decision on a recently submitted grant application for the upgrading of a milking parlour, as this work will need to be carried out during the winter months when cows are not milking. [36396/15]

TAMS Payments

Áine Collins

328. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay in paying the targeted agricultural modernisation scheme II. [36434/15]

Banking Sector

Áine Collins

247. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 74 of 1 July 2015, the progress he and the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources have since made in setting up the bank system for An Post. [34041/15]

Agriculture Scheme Applications

Áine Collins

361. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive a decision on an application under the national reserve old young farmer scheme. [34154/15]

Home Help Service Expenditure

Áine Collins

486. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that extra funding is made available for the home help package; and the home care package, in the upcoming budget. [34040/15]

Forestry Premium Payments

Áine Collins

337. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding forestry payments to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [33213/15]

Financial Services Regulation

Áine Collins

61. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Finance the regulations which govern the sale of loan-mortgages from an Irish based bank to institutions outside the State. [32408/15]

Single Payment Scheme Payments

Áine Collins

133. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason €201.47 was deducted from a 2014 single farm payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [29264/15]

Special Educational Needs Staff

Áine Collins

757. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the special needs assistant panel is not done in order, with persons on the list for only a short time being allocated positions ahead of persons who have been on the list a long time; and the rules governing this process. [28306/15]

School Transport Availability

Áine Collins

484. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the school bus from Cullen to a school (details supplied) in County Cork is not running for the coming school year. [27119/15]

Financial Services Regulation

Áine Collins

74. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Finance if he has provided approval to An Post to set up the new transaction account. [26558/15]

Tax Relief Availability

Áine Collins

225. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Finance if there is a special tax relief for land that was previously owned by the Land Commission and is now being sold to developing farmers under the restructuring scheme. [25750/15]

Social Welfare Payments Administration

Áine Collins

195. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason her Department's recently issued new forms state that the best payment option is to a financial institution, that is, to a bank, and places the post office as the second option (details supplied). [25004/15]

Departmental Staff Recruitment

Áine Collins

52. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a permanent replacement for the post of community welfare officer will be appointed to deal with the Newmarket and Millstreet area in County Cork; and if she will provide an assurance that the person will be based in this area. [22805/15]

Medicinal Products Availability

Áine Collins

747. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Health the reason the Fampyra drug is not included in either the medical card, drug payment scheme or long-term illness scheme; and if this situation will be rectified shortly. [21759/15]

Leader Programmes Administration

Áine Collins

951. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the percentage of administration costs for the Leader programme from 2007 to 2014. [20228/15]

Farm Enterprises

Áine Collins

61. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Finance if he will introduce a scheme that would encourage the sale of land (details supplied) to young, productive, progressive farmers. [18916/15]

Work Placement Programmes

Áine Collins

250. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when self-referral will be introduced by her Department in respect of participants in the Tús – work placement initiative. [18547/15]

Single Payment Scheme Applications

Áine Collins

360. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18506/15]

Medical Card Applications

Áine Collins

133. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for an emergency medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork [17953/15]

Child Care Services Funding

Áine Collins

85. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the early years capital grant 2015 will allow an existing community child care provider extend a current property with a new building under this scheme. [16877/15]

Child Care Services Funding

Áine Collins

88. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if planning permission must be applied for before submitting an application for a grant under the early years capital programme 2015; and if consideration will be given to projects that have commenced before December 2015 but which have not been completed before this date, due to planning and administration procedures . [16946/15]

Agriculture Schemes

Áine Collins

174. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive a payment from his Department. [16408/15]

Forestry Premium Payments

Áine Collins

249. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive a forestry premium payment. [14023/15]

Beef Data Programme

Áine Collins

272. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be paid in full for 2013 under the beef data programme; the options available to this person at this stage to avail of the 2014 beef data programme; and if he will ensure that this person receives the 2015 application form. [14382/15]

Forestry Grants

Áine Collins

285. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an application for a forestry road grant in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [14532/15]

Public Sector Staff Sick Leave

Áine Collins

718. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the pay a teacher is entitled to when on long-term sick leave. [14581/15]

Departmental Funding

Áine Collins

770. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding funding. [14080/15]

Seniors Alert Scheme

Áine Collins

822. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason responsibility for supplying security for elderly and disabled persons has been given to Pobal; the reason its cost will escalate from €66 yearly to €35 monthly; and whether the service will provide other information on health issues for the persons involved. [14847/15]

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Appeals

Áine Collins

318. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 318 of 3 February 2015, when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be notified of the decision of the appeals committee under the disadvantaged areas scheme. [12901/15]

Post Office Network

Áine Collins

247. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason her Department recently issued a letter (details supplied) encouraging State non-contributory pensioners to have their pensions paid into bank accounts. [12072/15]

Public Sector Pensions

Áine Collins

296. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update with regard to public service pensions, in order to address a query (details supplied). [11151/15]

Organic Farming Scheme Data

Áine Collins

381. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if organic farmers will receive a grant for a fodder growing system. [11890/15]

Direct Payment Scheme Applications

Áine Collins

393. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to explain the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork was issued with a 5% cross compliance penalty for 2013. [12073/15]

Prescriptions Charges

Áine Collins

720. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will consider reducing the medical card prescription charge for persons with severe disabilities. [12074/15]

GLAS Payments

Áine Collins

269. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he received advice from the Attorney General on whether there is an obligation on the Government to properly compensate farmers in the designated areas whose lands and right to private property under the Constitution have been devalued or made worthless by the designation. [10269/15]

Special Areas of Conservation Designation

Áine Collins

628. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she received advice from the Attorney General on whether there is an obligation on the Government to properly compensate farmers in the designated areas whose lands and right to private property under the Constitution have been devalued or made worthless by the designation. [10270/15]

Roadworthiness Testing

Áine Collins

618. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has made a decision on the timeframe for the testing of vintage vehicles, on a 30-year rolling basis, and if any qualifying vehicle that is 30 years of age or older would automatically be exempt from testing. [9215/15]

Architectural Heritage

Áine Collins

195. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when funding will be made available for the replacement of windows in a protected structure-listed building (details supplied). [8433/15]

EU Directives

Áine Collins

295. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has sought the advice of the Attorney General on the constitutionality of his actions to comply with hen harrier designation, in view of the fact that as a result of his designation these farms have become worthless as there is an opinion that without proper compensation there is a breach of their constitutional rights to private property. [7988/15]

Special Protection Areas Designation

Áine Collins

639. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she has sought the advice of the Attorney General on the constitutionality of her actions to comply with hen harrier designation, in view of the fact that as a result of her designation these farms have become worthless, as there is an opinion that without proper compensation, there is a breach of their constitutional rights to private property. [7987/15]

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Eligibility

Áine Collins

118. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a person (details supplied) in County Cork will qualify to apply for payments under the new scheme in view of the fact the person did not previously receive payment under the disadvantaged area scheme or the single payment scheme and did qualify for the rural environment protection scheme of the agri-environment options scheme. [6408/15]

Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland

Áine Collins

189. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Health how an increase in the membership fee for the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland can be justified, given that nurses' wages are being cut; and the way the €6 million is spent (details supplied). [6409/15]

Forestry Grants

Áine Collins

74. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regrading a forestry road grant in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [6182/15]

Milk Quota Applications

Áine Collins

80. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if farmers who plan to supply milk, after the quota restrictions have been lifted, can apply for any available quota that may exist in their local co-operative, at present. [6266/15]

VAT Exemptions

Áine Collins

236. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Finance if there is a value added tax exemption for charities who purchase medical equipment for children with cystic fibrosis. [6054/15]

Wildlife Regulations

Áine Collins

301. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if hen harrier farmers are required to undertake specified environmental actions based on a plan prepared by an approved planner to receive a payment under the proposed green low-carbon agri-environment scheme. [6023/15]

GLAS Administration

Áine Collins

308. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if farmers who own or work land designated as sanctuaries for hen harriers and who are on an agri-environment options scheme, will move directly to the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme when it commences, or if they will have to wait for the agri-environment options scheme to be completed first. [6053/15]

Hospital Complaints Procedures

Áine Collins

450. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Health the options available to patients (details supplied) who are dissatisfied with their care. [5914/15]

Wildlife Regulations

Áine Collins

646. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if farmers on hen harrier-designated land will be included in the new threat response plan. [6022/15]

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Appeals

Áine Collins

318. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive a decision on their disadvantaged area scheme payment 2012 appeal. [4403/15]

Air Quality

Áine Collins

587. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on his Department's plans on implementing the decision of the Government to ban the sale of smoky coal by 2016 (details supplied). [4937/15]

Commission for Energy Regulation

Áine Collins

135. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the regulator's role in ensuring that proper reductions are passed on to the consumer considering the huge reductions in oil in recent times. [3988/15]

Single Payment Scheme Payments

Áine Collins

341. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a single farm payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1694/15]

Motor Insurance Coverage

Áine Collins

979. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason an insurance company (details supplied) will not provide private motor insurance cover in respect of a person in County Cork. [49518/14]

Teagasc Activities

Áine Collins

230. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department is funding information nights through Teagasc regarding local farming issues; and the entitlements a farmer receives for the fee of €145 paid to Teagasc yearly. [47151/14]

Office of Public Works Staff

Áine Collins

243. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 195 of 18 November 2014, if he will indicate where the posts were advertised; and the procedure for applicants. [46316/14]

Agriculture Scheme Payments

Áine Collins

270. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay of a single farm payment and headage payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [46003/14]

Social Welfare Payments Administration

Áine Collins

45. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason when a person requests a form for change of social welfare payment details, the only form available DIR PMT 1 is a direct payment form into a financial institution, which does not give the option for the post office. [44474/14]

Road Improvement Schemes

Áine Collins

184. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will ensure that funding is made available for local improvement schemes in this year's allocations to county councils. [44482/14]

Office of Public Works Staff

Áine Collins

195. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Office of Public Works is currently recruiting staff; and if it recruited persons in 2013. [43756/14]

Farm Inspections

Áine Collins

83. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 409 of 4 November 2014, when the inspection in this case will be completed. [43464/14]

Mobility Allowance Review

Áine Collins

126. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the alternative scheme to mobility allowance which is being devised by his Department which was promised when the mobility allowance scheme closed on 26 February 2013. [42330/14]

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments

Áine Collins

409. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a disadvantaged area scheme payment and single farm payment will be made in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [41160/14]

Single Payment Scheme Payments

Áine Collins

432. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a single farm payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [41522/14]