Parliamentary questions

Prospecting Licences

Éamon Ó Cuív

376. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the progress made to date in assessing all applications for renewal of prospecting licences in the Connemara area; when a decision will be made on each one; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53691/19]

Farm Assist Scheme Data

Éamon Ó Cuív

451. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons on farm assist by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53689/19]

Passport Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

107. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the cost of a passport for a senior citizen; when the scheme of free passports for senior citizens was abolished; the estimated cost of re-establishing the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53352/19]

Community Enterprise Centres

Éamon Ó Cuív

302. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the assistance available for the development of community enterprise centres; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52964/19]

Forestry Sector

Éamon Ó Cuív

486. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider planting a tree of a native Irish species for each school child creating a new national forest called foraois na bpáistí in view of the concerns expressed by young persons concerning climate change and to give due recognition to these concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52962/19]

Craoltóirí Seirbhíse Poiblí

Éamon Ó Cuív

564. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Cumarsáide, Gníomhaithe ar son na hAeráide agus Comhshaoil cé mhéad airgid a cuireadh ar fáil, gach bliain, ón Státchiste, ag tógáil airgead an cheadúnais agus íocaíocht na Roinne Gnóthaí Fostaíochta agus Coimirce Sóisialaí san áireamh, do TG4 agus RTÉ faoi seach ón mbliain 2011 i leith; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [53030/19]

Childcare Services Funding

Éamon Ó Cuív

658. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the capital assistance available for the development and building of crèches; the amount spent each year since 2012 on capital assistance for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52963/19]

Housing Data

Éamon Ó Cuív

774. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of houses purchased under the tenant (incremental) purchase scheme in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53351/19]

Oideachas Gaeilge

Éamon Ó Cuív

13. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil sé i gceist aici athruithe a dhéanamh ar an scéim deontas le haghaidh ollscoileanna thar sáile ina múintear an Ghaeilge; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [51124/19]

National Monuments

Éamon Ó Cuív

27. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when she plans to reconvene and reconstitute the Moore Street advisory committee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51125/19]

Banks Recapitalisation

Éamon Ó Cuív

50. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Finance the investment made by the State in banks (details supplied) during the financial crisis by institution; the amount recouped to date from the institutions; the value of the residual investment by the State in the institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52288/19]

Credit Union Data

Éamon Ó Cuív

51. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Finance the investment by the State in credit unions during the financial crisis; the amount recouped to date; the value of residual investment by the State in the credit unions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52289/19]

Revenue Documents

Éamon Ó Cuív

52. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Finance the way in which taxpayers who do not have access to a computer or are not computer literate and do not have a Revenue Commissioners myAccount will be able to access their employment detail summaries for 2019 under PAYE modernisation; if they will be able to obtain the information by writing to the Revenue Commissioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52291/19]

Soláthar Iompar Scoile

Éamon Ó Cuív

89. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna an bhfuil sé sásta ticéid taistil scoile a cheadú do scoláirí ó scoil (sonraí tugtha) le dul ar bhus poiblí Bhus Éireann tar éis 5.00pm ionas go mbeidh deis acu páirt a ghlacadh in imeachtaí iar-scoile, ag cur san áireamh nach bhfuil aon bhus níos luaithe tráthnóna ar an tseirbhís sin agus nach mbíonn mórán paisinéirí ar an mbus atá ar an tseirbhís sin tar éis 5.00pm; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [52287/19]

Traveller Projects Funding

Éamon Ó Cuív

111. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the allocation for the special initiative in respect of Traveller employment for the past five years; the allocation for 2020; the amount spent on each project; the number supported by county and year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52290/19]

Psychological Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

212. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the number of children with an intellectual disability on the school age psychology caseload in the Galway region; the number of psychologists available to provide this service; the number of children on the waiting list for a service in the Galway region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52294/19]

Rail Network Expansion

Éamon Ó Cuív

312. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has received the report he commissioned on the western rail corridor from a company (details supplied); if so, when the report will be published; when a final decision on the report will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52293/19]

Childcare Services Regulation

Éamon Ó Cuív

324. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of submissions received on the draft childminding action plan; when a final plan will be published; if the implementation of this plan will require primary or secondary legislation; if so, when such legislation will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52292/19]

Tenant Purchase Scheme

Éamon Ó Cuív

45. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to change the conditions of the tenant purchase incremental scheme 2016 due to the small take-up of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51115/19]

Planning Guidelines

Éamon Ó Cuív

83. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when he plans to introduce new rural housing guidelines in view of the Flemish Decree judgment of the European Court of Justice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51116/19]

Hospital Appointments Status

Éamon Ó Cuív

308. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when an operation will be provided for a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay in issuing a date for surgery in view of the exceptional circumstances in the case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51091/19]

HSE Staff Recruitment

Éamon Ó Cuív

312. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when the psychologist vacancy in respect of the early intervention service in Spiddal, County Galway, will be filled; the reason for the delay in filling the vacancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51126/19]

Hospital Appointments Status

Éamon Ó Cuív

317. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when an operation will be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the reason for the delay in issuing a date for the procedure in view of the significant length of time the person has spent on the waiting list to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51151/19]

Rural Regeneration and Development Fund

Éamon Ó Cuív

33. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount of funding provided to the rural regeneration and development fund for 2019; the amount spent to date out of the fund; the expected out-turn of expenditure by the end of 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50427/19]

Departmental Budgets

Éamon Ó Cuív

38. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount of capital provided to his Department in the Estimates for 2019; the amount spent to date by subhead; the proposed reduction in this allocation before the end of 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50426/19]

Visa Applications

Éamon Ó Cuív

134. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when a decision will be made on a visa appeal lodged by a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay in making a decision on the appeal; if such visa appeals are taking ten months to consider; if so, the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50767/19]

Naturalisation Applications

Éamon Ó Cuív

135. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason for the delay in issuing a person (details supplied) with a decision on their application for naturalisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50768/19]

Rural Social Scheme Eligibility

Éamon Ó Cuív

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

Social Welfare Benefits Reviews

Éamon Ó Cuív

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

Offshore Islands

Éamon Ó Cuív

273. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she has had discussions with the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government and or Irish Water on the provision of public sewerage services on the islands; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50514/19]

Industrial Development

Éamon Ó Cuív

46. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the changes in policy that are proposed to ensure the accelerated growth of the indigenous high-tech industrial sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49685/19]

Corporation Tax Regime

Éamon Ó Cuív

47. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the discussions taking place between her Department and the relevant development agencies to reposition enterprise policy in view of the changes in the tax regime of the United States of America and other changes taking place worldwide that could reduce the attractiveness of Ireland to foreign direct industrial investment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49684/19]

Colombian Peace Process

Éamon Ó Cuív

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

Banking Sector Data

Éamon Ó Cuív

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

NAMA Bonds

Éamon Ó Cuív

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

School Enrolments

Éamon Ó Cuív

248. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a large number of schools in County Galway appear to have long waiting lists of pupils who are due to go to second-level schools in 2020; if contingency plans are being drawn up to ensure each pupil will receive places in second-level schools September 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50394/19]

Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities

Éamon Ó Cuív

293. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the overall allocation on the special employment initiative in each year since 2015; the allocation for 2020; the actual spend in each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50397/19]

Work Permits Data

Éamon Ó Cuív

303. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of work permits issued in 2018 and to date in 2019 by category of employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50094/19]

IDA Ireland Portfolio

Éamon Ó Cuív

304. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if she has discussed with IDA Ireland the need to develop proactive policies to ensure the best use of the properties it has in rural areas and in small and medium-sized towns nationally; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50095/19]

Alcohol Pricing

Éamon Ó Cuív

446. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when the minimum pricing provisions of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 will be commenced; the reason for the delay in doing so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50400/19]

Home Care Packages Data

Éamon Ó Cuív

447. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the amount provided for home care in counties Galway and Mayo, respectively in 2019; the number of persons in receipt of a home care service; the number of persons on the waiting lists for the service; the average number of hours of home care provided to each recipient each week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50406/19]

Harbours and Piers Funding

Éamon Ó Cuív

466. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount sanctioned in each year for marine works on piers in the charge of Galway County Council in each year since 2012; the piers for which the work was sanctioned; the amount drawn down in each year by the council for the works; the piers or works which were sanctioned and for which there was a partial drawdown or no drawdown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50392/19]

Prospecting Licences

Éamon Ó Cuív

496. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the person or body that oversees that the conditions of prospecting and mining licences are adhered to; the number of members of staff dedicated to this work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50399/19]

Road Network

Éamon Ó Cuív

533. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if Galway County Council has sought special funding for the upgrade or replacement on the bridges leading from Béal an Daingin all the way to Leitir Mealláin, Contae na Gaillimhe, which are the only access to and from the Islands of Eanach Mheáin, Leitir Móir, Gorumna and Leitir Mealláin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50393/19]

LEADER Programmes Funding

Éamon Ó Cuív

554. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount available to each LAG for projects under the LEADER programme; the amount approved for projects to date by LAG; the amount expended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50398/19]

Rural Regeneration and Development Fund Data

Éamon Ó Cuív

555. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the projects by type approved under the rural regeneration and development fund to date; the lead agency in each case; the amount sanctioned in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50401/19]

Social Welfare Code

Éamon Ó Cuív

604. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the circumstances in which her Department may request that a person hand up their passport and retain this passport for up to 21 days; the Act under which such a decision is made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50396/19]

Social and Affordable Housing Provision

Éamon Ó Cuív

640. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if affordable housing projects have been sanctioned for Galway City and County Councils to date; if so, the details of same; the number of applications for affordable housing received to date that are under consideration; the location of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50402/19]

Tenant Purchase Scheme Review

Éamon Ó Cuív

641. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when the review of the tenant purchase (incremental) scheme 2016 was completed; when he plans to publish the review; when he plans to make changes to the scheme; the reason for the delay in doing so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50403/19]

National Monuments

Éamon Ó Cuív

647. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when she plans to re-establish the Moore Street advisory committee; the reason for the delay in doing so; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50405/19]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Éamon Ó Cuív

148. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when an operation will be provided for a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay in issuing a date for the procedure; if the person can undergo the procedure on the treatment purchase fund scheme or in another way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49502/19]

Medical Aids and Appliances Provision

Éamon Ó Cuív

149. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the reason an art assist machine is not available to a person (details supplied) in view of the exceptional circumstances; the reason the assistance of the machines is not provided to patients in view of the fact they are a preventative medicine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49504/19]

Tax Data

Éamon Ó Cuív

169. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Finance the percentage of taxpayers who were exempt from income tax in each year since 2008 to 2018 and to date in 2019; his views on whether taxpayers should be required to pay income tax irrespective of income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48983/19]

Rural Transport Programme

Éamon Ó Cuív

19. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the policy he has to radically improve rural transport particularly for commuters from rural areas to the regional cities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48009/19]

Rail Services Provision

Éamon Ó Cuív

27. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when approval will be given to Iarnród Éireann to purchase new rolling stock in view of the critical shortage of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48010/19]

Brexit Issues

Éamon Ó Cuív

80. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Finance the projected increase in the net contribution by Ireland each year to the EU from 2021 to 2027 in the event of Britain leaving the EU with a deal on 31 January 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47905/19]

Íocaíochtaí Deontas

Éamon Ó Cuív

50. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna an bhfuil an deontas caipitíochta céanna á íoc le bunscoileanna lán-Ghaeilge Gaeltachta agus atá á íoc le bunscoileanna lán-Ghaeilge taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht; mura bhfuil, cén fáth nach bhfuil; cén costas breise a bhainfeadh leis an deontas méadaithe a íoc le gach scoil sa Ghaeltacht;; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [47074/19]

Oideachas trí Ghaeilge

Éamon Ó Cuív

93. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna cén beartas atá aige lena chinntiú go bhfuil oideachas trí Ghaeilge ar fáil i ngach ábhar sna haonaid lán-Ghaeilge atá ceangailte le scoileanna dara leibhéal Béarla; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [47075/19]

HSE Staff Recruitment

Éamon Ó Cuív

401. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the central personnel section of the HSE is not approving appointments across the health system to fill vacancies; the steps he has taken to ensure that the HSE adopts a policy to fill all vacancies in the health service in cases in which this has been recommended by the relevant section of the HSE to provide necessary services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47508/19]

Traveller Projects Funding

Éamon Ó Cuív

402. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure that the HSE ring-fences funding for the full implementation of the national Traveller health action plan; if he will direct the HSE to form a structure on which Travellers will be at least half the membership to oversee the implementation of the plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47511/19]

Traveller Projects Funding

Éamon Ó Cuív

403. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if he will have a role in the approval of the national Traveller health action plan; if so, the role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47512/19]

Traveller Projects Funding

Éamon Ó Cuív

404. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health his plans to reinstate the same level of funding for issues affecting Traveller health as applied in 2007 and 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47513/19]

Traveller Community

Éamon Ó Cuív

405. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if the bureaucratic barriers for Travellers accessing medical cards will be reduced in view of the literacy challenges faced by some Travellers; if free general practitioner healthcare will be provided to all Travellers within five years in line with Sláintecare; if Travellers will be prioritised in the process in view of their poor health outcomes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47514/19]

Traveller Community

Éamon Ó Cuív

406. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure the retention of medical cards for Traveller health workers in view of the importance of Traveller community health workers in improving traveller health; if the retention of Traveller health workers will be ensured by increasing the funding to primary health care projects and by linking their payscales to the relevant HSE payscale taking into account the experience of these workers; if progression routes for Traveller health workers into mainstream employment will be identified including full-time employment; if redundancy and pension payments will be ensured for Traveller health workers in line with the rest of the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47515/19]

Traveller Community

Éamon Ó Cuív

407. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to ensure each health policy and the implementation of same including Sláintecare are Traveller proofed to ensure that the distinct health needs of Travellers and health inequalities are addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47516/19]

Veterinary Medicines

Éamon Ó Cuív

483. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a new regulation has been introduced that requires a prescription from a veterinary surgeon for dispensing of animal preventative remedies such as worm and fluke doses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47518/19]

Prospecting Licences

Éamon Ó Cuív

523. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason a licence (details supplied) which covers western areas of Connemara has been re-advertised in a recent licence competition for prospecting licences for mining in view of the status of the much of the area as Natura 2000 sites, the outstanding and unique scenic nature of the area in the county development plan and the local opposition to mining in the area; the consultations he has had with the Ministers for Housing Planning and Local Government and Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht on the proposal to re-advertise the area in the recent licence competition; the discussions he has had with local public representatives including Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas and local authority before making the decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47510/19]

Community Employment Schemes Supervisors

Éamon Ó Cuív

627. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the progress she has made on ensuring that community employment supervisors are entitled to an occupational pension in line with the recommendation of the Labour Court in 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47509/19]

Local Authority Funding

Éamon Ó Cuív

662. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the allocation to each local authority in 2019 from the local government fund and the equalisation fund of the LPT in 2019 and 2020 respectively; the method by which this allocation is calculated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47517/19]

Public Sector Staff Recruitment

Éamon Ó Cuív

31. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the steps he plans to take to ensure that persons from minority backgrounds are better represented in recruitment to the Civil Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46026/19]

Public Sector Staff Recruitment

Éamon Ó Cuív

37. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of persons recruited to date to the Civil Service on panels specifically reserved for those with a competency in Irish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46027/19]

Human Rights

Éamon Ó Cuív

41. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has made representations to his Spanish and French counterparts or ambassadors in relation to 349 Basque prisoners who were members of ETA, which has been on ceasefire for some considerable time and who are held in various prisons outside of the Basque country, to have these returned to the Basque country; if he has spoken to the Spanish authorities regarding the experiences of the peace process here in relation to the importance of prisoner issues being dealt with to cement the peace process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46960/19]

HSE Staff Recruitment

Éamon Ó Cuív

133. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the status of the positions in CHO 2 that were offered to successful applicants in quarter 2 of 2019 but are yet to be filled; the location of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47000/19]

HSE Correspondence

Éamon Ó Cuív

134. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the large amount of official business carried out with general practitioners by post rather than by email; the estimated saving that would be made in the system if all of this was done electronically; the steps being taken to replace a paper approach by an electronic approach; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47001/19]

EU Budget Contribution

Éamon Ó Cuív

63. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Finance the expected annual increase in the net financial contribution by Ireland to the EU if the UK leaves the EU by the 31 January 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46024/19]

Tax Credits

Éamon Ó Cuív

69. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Finance when the personal income tax credit was initially raised to €1,650; when the employee tax credit was raised to €1,650; the cumulative inflation since; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46025/19]

Public Sector Staff Redeployment

Éamon Ó Cuív

107. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the steps he is taking to facilitate more civil servants who wish to locate out of Dublin to other locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46840/19]

Public Sector Staff Redeployment

Éamon Ó Cuív

108. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the steps he is taking to encourage greater mobility within the wider public service; the progress made in 2018 and to date in 2019 to achieve same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46841/19]

Northern Ireland

Éamon Ó Cuív

58. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he raised concerns with the authorities in Northern Ireland in relation to the level of stop and search incidents and surveillance by the police of persons from the nationalist community in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46023/19]

Northern Ireland

Éamon Ó Cuív

73. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has raised concerns with the authorities in Northern Ireland and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in relation to the long periods being spent on remand and on bail by persons accused of paramilitary offences; if so, the response he received to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46022/19]

Physiotherapy Provision

Éamon Ó Cuív

340. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when physiotherapy services will be available again in Clonbur, Carraroe, Kilkerrin and Carna, County Galway; the reason physiotherapy services were ceased in the health centres in April 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46233/19]

Direct Provision Data

Éamon Ó Cuív

92. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of offers received for the provision of direct provision centres in 2019 by local authority area; the number of rooms available in each centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45909/19]

Health Services Provision

Éamon Ó Cuív

154. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if CAP transition measures (details supplied) proposed by the European Commission would result in cuts to direct payments in October 2020 and cuts in farm schemes under pillar 2 to farmers here; and the process involved for the decision to become final. [45906/19]

Animal Disease Controls

Éamon Ó Cuív

180. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to introduce regulations to eradicate hoof wall separation disease in Connemara ponies; the steps taken to date to control the disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45910/19]

Felling Licences Applications

Éamon Ó Cuív

181. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a decision will be issued on a felling licence application by a person (details supplied); the reason no decision has been given on the application to date; if details of the Natura impact statement required in this case have been conveyed to the person; if such a statement has been received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45912/19]

Security of the Elderly

Éamon Ó Cuív

199. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the security devices funded by his Department or agencies under his remit for the protection of older persons in their homes; if this can include security cameras; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45911/19]

Fuel Allowance Eligibility

Éamon Ó Cuív

207. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason persons who go on a community employment scheme directly from being on jobseeker's benefit are not awarded the fuel allowance during their second year on the scheme in view of the fact that such persons, if they had remained on jobseeker's benefit and progressed to jobseeker's allowance, would receive the fuel allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45907/19]

Social Welfare Benefits Payments

Éamon Ó Cuív

208. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the maximum rate of payment before means are deducted under the farm and fish schemes for a 22-year-old person; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45908/19]

Special Educational Needs Staff

Éamon Ó Cuív

216. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills the discussions he has had with the HSE and the Minister for Health to ensure investigations and tests required for a school to submit an application for a special needs assistant will be provided by the required date of February 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44464/19]

State Bodies Establishment

Éamon Ó Cuív

300. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the Mediation Council of Ireland will be established under the relevant mediation legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44463/19]

Psychological Assessments

Éamon Ó Cuív

489. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if he will direct the HSE to carry out the tests and investigations necessary before the end of January 2020 in the case of a person (details supplied) in view of the fact that this will be necessary if a school is to make an application for a special needs assistant in February 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44465/19]

Childcare Costs

Éamon Ó Cuív

983. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the practice by which crèches are charging the full fees for children who are attending an ECCE course in their local naíolann Gaelach and also attending the local crèche for the rest of the day, which is making it more expensive for parents whose children attend a crèche part time in order to enable them to learn the Irish language than it is for those who attend full time in circumstances in which the ECCE grant is rebated from the fees; if so, her plans to take steps to deal with same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44466/19]

Fuel Allowance Eligibility

Éamon Ó Cuív

1039. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the action she plans to take to ameliorate the effects of increasing fuel costs and the increased carbon taxes for Travellers living in temporary accommodation, mobile homes and caravans due to the disproportionate heating costs they face and the effect this will have on their ability to keep warm for the 2019-2020 winter season and in line with the recommendation in the MABS report, Addressing Energy Poverty Among Travellers Living in Mobile Homes and Trailers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44461/19]

Fuel Allowance Eligibility

Éamon Ó Cuív

1040. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to extend the fuel allowance to Traveller families that are officially sharing a bay in a halting site to assist them with their fuel costs in line with a recommendation of the MABS report, Addressing Energy Poverty Among Travellers Living in Mobile Homes and Trailers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44462/19]

Illegal Dumping

Éamon Ó Cuív

1131. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when legal advice was first sought in respect of the dumping at the old dock, Galway; when a decision will be made regarding the action he plans to take regarding the complaint in view of the length of time this matter has been with his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44460/19]

Rural Regeneration and Development Fund Expenditure

Éamon Ó Cuív

7. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount provided in the 2019 Estimates for the rural regeneration and development fund, RRDF; the amount transferred to other subheads in the Vote; the amount remaining in the Vote for the fund; the amount spent to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43662/19]

Local Improvement Scheme Funding

Éamon Ó Cuív

23. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to approve further funding for spending on LIS schemes in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43663/19]

Coastal Erosion

Éamon Ó Cuív

87. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when a decision will be made on an application from Galway County Council to the OPW for funding for a study of coastal erosion problems in Tawin Island, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44008/19]

School Management

Éamon Ó Cuív

105. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to amend section 18(1) of the Education Act 1998 which requires all schools to have audited accounts in order to exempt very small schools from the auditing requirement in view of the fact it costs an inordinate amount of money compared to the capitation grant they receive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44010/19]

Oideachas Riachtanas Speisialta

Éamon Ó Cuív

106. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna an mbaineann an ciorclán a foilsíodh le gairid maidir le díolúine ón nGaeilge a fhoghlaim le ranganna speisialta i scoileanna Gaeltachta agus leis an scoil speisialta i nGaeltacht Chonamara; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [44013/19]