Parliamentary questions

Competition and Consumer Protection Commission

Brian Stanley

293. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the funding received by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission in 2018 and to date 2019. [53149/19]

Afforestation Programme

Brian Stanley

535. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount distributed to applicants through the afforestation grant and premium scheme in 2018 and to date in 2019. [53136/19]

National Broadband Plan Expenditure

Brian Stanley

550. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount spent to date on the national broadband plan; and the cost of external consultants, legal advice and services and internal Departmental staff costs, respectively in this regard. [52829/19]

Occupational Therapy Provision

Brian Stanley

259. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) will be seen for occupational therapy services. [52393/19]

Housing Policy

Brian Stanley

308. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to introduce cost-to-rental housing as part of future local authority or approved housing body housing developments in counties Laois and Offaly. [51981/19]

Social and Affordable Housing Eligibility

Brian Stanley

309. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the income thresholds for social housing in counties Laois and Offaly will be increased to take account of the situation with wages and house prices. [51982/19]

Regional Development

Brian Stanley

2. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the role of his Department in the development of the midlands following news that two power stations are set to close, which will give rise to job losses. [50292/19]

Common Agricultural Policy Reform

Brian Stanley

11. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he has fully engaged in the Common Agricultural Policy, CAP, reform process to ensure his plans are rural proofed. [50297/19]

Town and Village Renewal Scheme

Brian Stanley

24. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his views on whether county councils should play a greater role in the town and village renewal scheme; and his views on whether the scheme should be deployed in such a way that it would enhance local area plans. [50295/19]

Action Plan for Rural Development

Brian Stanley

26. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of jobs created under the Action Plan for Rural Development in counties Laois and Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50293/19]

Disabilities Assessments

Brian Stanley

189. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health when an assessment of needs for autism spectrum will be carried out for a person (details supplied). [50816/19]

Occupational Therapy Waiting Lists

Brian Stanley

197. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the number of children awaiting occupational therapy; and the number waiting over one, two and three years, respectively. [50854/19]

Physiotherapy Provision

Brian Stanley

198. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the number of children in counties Laois and Offaly awaiting physiotherapy; and the number waiting over one, two and three years, respectively. [50855/19]

Speech and Language Therapy Waiting Lists

Brian Stanley

204. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the number of children in counties Laois and Offaly awaiting speech and language therapy; and the number waiting over one, two and three years, respectively. [50877/19]

National Broadband Plan Expenditure

Brian Stanley

8. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount spent to date on the national broadband plan; and the cost of external consultants, legal advice, services and internal departmental staff costs. [46267/19]

Bord na Móna

Brian Stanley

14. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has been briefed on the recommendations in the cross-party report on climate change specifically relating to the future of Bord na Móna; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43657/19]

Public Service Obligation Levy

Brian Stanley

201. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if an increased amount of PSO levy will be allocated to Bord na Móna to increase it in line with a greater use of biomass in the Edenderry power plant. [49577/19]

Employment Data

Brian Stanley

32. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on recently published figures by the CSO which show that in quarter 3 of 2019 fewer than 100,000 persons were employed in the agriculture, forestry and fishing sectors, a decline compared to the same quarter in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48946/19]

Beef Industry

Brian Stanley

34. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps that have been taken by his Department since 15 October 2019 to get the beef task force up and running. [49407/19]

Basic Payment Scheme

Brian Stanley

36. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps being taken to complete all farm inspections for 2019 in order that outstanding single farm payments can issue. [48949/19]

Basic Payment Scheme

Brian Stanley

38. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers waiting on their farm inspections to be completed; and when single farm payments will be fully processed. [48947/19]

Basic Payment Scheme

Brian Stanley

39. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to move farm inspections to the months of June and July to ensure that single farm payments can be paid out on time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48948/19]

Forestry Management

Brian Stanley

43. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps being taken to resolve the serious backlog in the issuing of felling licences; and the way in which he plans to deal with the difficulties landholders of small pockets of on-farm forestry face regarding planning permission for small access roads and environmental assessments similar to those needed for large scale forestry. [48950/19]

Genetically Modified Organisms

Brian Stanley

64. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to prohibit the cultivation of genetically modified organisms here, including the importation of GMO grain. [48951/19]

Home Help Service

Brian Stanley

131. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if home help cover for holidays is available in each county; and if not, the counties in which it is not available. [49181/19]

Hospital Services

Brian Stanley

132. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the commencement date for the consultation process for Portlaoise Hospital; and the timeframe for completion. [49182/19]

Genetically Modified Organisms

Brian Stanley

65. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the future production and regulation of genetically modified foods here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41606/19]

Air Navigation Orders

Brian Stanley

143. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the transit through Irish airspace was approved for two aircraft (details supplied) on 19 November 2019; if these NATO aircraft were carrying weapons or munitions; if they were engaged in or coming from or to military operations at the time. [48822/19]

Environmental Policy

Brian Stanley

366. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he plans to launch a code of good practice which will set out measures to reduce ammonia emissions over the coming years. [48901/19]

Insurance Fraud

Brian Stanley

35. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to establish a Garda insurance fraud unit to tackle insurance fraud. [46266/19]

National Council for Curriculum and Assessment

Brian Stanley

187. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Education and Skills the budget allocation to the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment in each of the past three years in tabular form. [47394/19]

Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement

Brian Stanley

296. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of times to date in 2019 she has formally met with the Director of Corporate Enforcement. [47398/19]

Audiology Services Provision

Brian Stanley

314. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health his plans to fill the vacant audiologist positions in counties Laois and Offaly; the progress being made on the matter; and the expected date for the posts to be filled. [47109/19]

Home Help Service Data

Brian Stanley

435. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the maximum waiting time for home help services in each county in tabular form; and the number on the waiting list by county. [47692/19]

Housing Adaptation Grant Funding

Brian Stanley

649. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when Laois County Council will receive its full allocation for mobility aids and housing adaptation grants for its housing stock for 2019. [47263/19]

Motor Insurance

Brian Stanley

44. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Finance when the car insurance premium levy will be terminated. [46265/19]

Tax Code

Brian Stanley

88. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Finance if research has been carried out with regard to the economic and social impact an increase in carbon tax will have on those living in rural Ireland. [43659/19]

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Brian Stanley

418. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the research carried out on the effect of ammonia gas on vegetation, soil, habitats and species; if critical levels for habitats of concern such has bogs, coniferous woodland and grassland have been identified; and if so, if same will be expressed in micrograms per cubic metre, for example, 1 ug/m3 for lichens. [46205/19]

Public Sector Pensions

Brian Stanley

193. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider allowing qualified school teachers that have worked abroad to buy teacher pensions credits for their time spent abroad (details supplied). [45280/19]

Home Help Service Provision

Brian Stanley

499. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be put on a priority list for adequate home help hours. [44502/19]

Fishing Industry

Brian Stanley

944. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the intentions behind and intended implications of the European Council Directive 2017/159/EU concerning the implementation of the Work in Fishing Convention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45045/19]

Fishing Industry

Brian Stanley

945. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the range of proposed changes to be made to the existing legal and regulatory framework and requirements imposed on the fishing industry (details supplied) under the implementation of the European Council Directive 2017/159/EU by his Department. [45046/19]

Fishing Industry

Brian Stanley

946. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the changes to be made in the area of protection for workers in relation to EU Council Directive 2017/159/EU (details supplied). [45047/19]

Brexit Preparations

Brian Stanley

2. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the preparations or contingency planning being carried out to address a no-deal Brexit for rural communities, especially in the Border region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43656/19]

Rural Regeneration and Development Fund Eligibility

Brian Stanley

17. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if counties Laois and Offaly will receive a fair share of funding in the next round of rural regeneration and development funding. [43660/19]

Climate Change Policy

Brian Stanley

27. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he has been briefed on the recommendations in the cross-party report on climate change specifically relating to a just transition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43657/19]

LEADER Programmes Expenditure

Brian Stanley

37. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his views on LEADER and its underspend; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43661/19]

Broadband Service Provision

Brian Stanley

42. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of discussions he has had with the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment with regard to broadband provision in rural communities, including the role of his Department in the national broadband plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43658/19]

Waste Disposal Charges

Brian Stanley

214. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the special weight allowance for waste collection services will be put in place for those households that have a person with incontinence. [44041/19]

Beef Industry

Brian Stanley

55. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the implementation of the Irish beef sector agreement of 15 September 2019. [41607/19]

Beef Industry

Brian Stanley

64. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to establish a beef market index; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41603/19]

Common Agricultural Policy Negotiations

Brian Stanley

72. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his position on what the upper limit for basic payments should be under the Common Agricultural Policy. [41602/19]

Organic Farming

Brian Stanley

82. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans for re-opening an organic horticulture scheme. [41605/19]

Brexit Preparations

Brian Stanley

87. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the future Border checks on the island of Ireland post Brexit relating specifically to the movement of food and animals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41604/19]

Co-operative Sector

Brian Stanley

316. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the State financial and technical supports available to start-up co-operatives and existing co-operatives. [42230/19]

Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Data

Brian Stanley

467. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applicants awaiting areas of natural constraint scheme payments. [41658/19]

Farm Inspections

Brian Stanley

468. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications selected for the remote sensing inspections or satellite inspections; and the length of time the process will take. [41659/19]

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Brian Stanley

43. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the progress to date on the new buildings and renovation of St. Vincent’s Hospital, Mount Mellick; and the timeline for the project. [41169/19]

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Brian Stanley

67. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the progress to date on the planned refurbishment and extension of Abbeyleix Hospital; and the timescale for the project. [41168/19]

Audiology Services Data

Brian Stanley

177. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the length of the waiting list for audiology services for children under 18 years of age in counties Laois and Offaly by county. [41449/19]

Driver Licences

Brian Stanley

235. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the arrangements being made between the UK and Irish Governments to facilitate persons that live here and work in the UK in regard to whether their Irish driver licence will cover them to drive in the UK. [41423/19]

Hospital Services

Brian Stanley

240. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the expected date for the commencement of consultations on the future of services in Portlaoise Hospital. [40735/19]

State Pension (Contributory)

Brian Stanley

470. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the progress on the changes to calculating PRSI entitlements for the State pension (contributory); and the effects of the changes. [40743/19]

Ministerial Meetings

Brian Stanley

105. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he has formally met with the United States of America Secretary of the Navy. [40063/19]

Waterways Ireland Funding

Brian Stanley

247. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the estimated amount it would cost in 2020 if the budget for Waterways Ireland increased by 9%. [40065/19]

Beef Industry

Brian Stanley

398. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated cost of establishing a national beef market index database. [38885/19]

Equine Data

Brian Stanley

168. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated cost of establishing a national equine database to record microchipped equine. [37958/19]

Schools Building Projects Status

Brian Stanley

412. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Education and Skills the work being undertaken to expedite the new school project for a school (details supplied); the actions being taken with regard to same; and the timescale for construction work to commence. [35992/19]

Assisted Human Reproduction

Brian Stanley

912. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the status of the IVF funding set aside (details supplied). [35210/19]

HSE Staff Recruitment

Brian Stanley

1017. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the appointment of a specialist eye doctor for County Laois; and when the service will resume. [35711/19]

Home Help Service Provision

Brian Stanley

1084. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health when an application for support services will be approved and provided for a person (details supplied). [31581/19]

Home Help Service Provision

Brian Stanley

1093. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if it is the policy of the HSE and the Minister that home helps will no longer be rostered for weekend cover in County Laois and instead be replaced by private agency staff; and if this has become an established practice in other counties. [31646/19]

Speech and Language Therapy Provision

Brian Stanley

1239. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health when a derogation will be approved to allow the HSE to fill vacant speech and language posts in County Laois. [32228/19]

Home Help Service Data

Brian Stanley

1387. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the number of persons granted home help services in counties Laois and Offaly who are wait-listed; and the number waiting in excess of three, six and nine months and one year, respectively. [32725/19]

Telecommunications Infrastructure

Brian Stanley

2170. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if an assessment of the radiation levels from 5G masts and the health risks from antennal transmitting for the technology has been carried out. [31621/19]

Home Help Service Expenditure

Brian Stanley

400. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the average cost per hour for home helps employed directly by the HSE; and the average cost per hour for home helps provided to the HSE by agencies. [29400/19]

National Broadband Plan

Brian Stanley

2. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will re-engage with both Eir and the ESB regarding the national broadband plan. [28663/19]

Climate Change Policy

Brian Stanley

4. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans for a just transition review group as referenced in the Climate Action Plan 2019. [28664/19]

Energy Policy

Brian Stanley

7. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans for a microgeneration scheme; and the role he envisages for the Microgeneration Support Scheme Bill 2017 in the plan. [28306/19]

Renewable Energy Generation Targets

Brian Stanley

14. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the renewable energy infrastructure he plans to develop or assist in developing by 2030. [28308/19]

Better Energy Homes Scheme

Brian Stanley

16. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of homes planned to be insulated and retrofitted by 2030; and the support that will be offered to households. [28309/19]

Electric Vehicles

Brian Stanley

17. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to increase the use of electric vehicles, EVs, here. [28305/19]

Climate Change Adaptation Plans

Brian Stanley

19. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the projected spend on carbon credits between 2021 and 2030. [28307/19]

Ambulance Service Provision

Brian Stanley

209. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the progress made regarding the competitive dialogue and establishment of a framework agreement for the provision of private ambulance services for the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28724/19]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Brian Stanley

381. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment for hip surgery in University Hospital Waterford. [27543/19]

Health Services Provision

Brian Stanley

174. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the progress made regarding the competitive dialogue and establishment of a framework agreement for the provision of private services for the HSE. [27035/19]

Renewable Energy Generation

Brian Stanley

206. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the stock of renewable energy infrastructure owned by the State or semi-State organisations by category (details supplied); the value of the stock in each category; and the energy produced by the stock in each category. [27052/19]

Electromagnetic Fields Studies

Brian Stanley

207. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the research his Department has carried on the health implications on the roll-out of 5G technology; the body that carried out the research; the findings of the research; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27053/19]

Electromagnetic Fields Studies

Brian Stanley

208. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the research that has been carried out by his Department on the environmental impact of 5G technology; the body that carried out the research; the findings of the research; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27054/19]

Speech and Language Therapy Provision

Brian Stanley

389. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will have speech and language services restored and be assessed for a communications device; and the reason they were removed from the waiting list for these services. [26321/19]

Carbon Tax Collection

Brian Stanley

32. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Finance his plans to refund taxpayers paying the existing level of carbon tax on a progressive basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25533/19]

Tracker Mortgage Examination

Brian Stanley

42. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Finance if he is satisfied that all affected cohorts of tracker scandal victims have been treated fairly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25534/19]

Education and Training Boards Data

Brian Stanley

164. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of staff employed at the National Construction Training Centre in Mount Lucas, County Offaly; and the courses available there. [25440/19]

Education and Training Boards Data

Brian Stanley

165. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of participants that received training at the National Construction Training Centre in Mount Lucas, County Offaly in each of the past five years. [25441/19]

Home Care Packages Data

Brian Stanley

458. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in counties Laois and Offaly approved for home help and home care hours; and the number of persons on the waiting list despite having already been approved for hours. [25435/19]

Home Care Packages Data

Brian Stanley

459. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in counties Longford and Westmeath approved for home help and home care hours; and the number of persons on the waiting list despite having already been approved for hours. [25436/19]

Petroleum and Gas Exploration

Brian Stanley

539. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of meetings that have taken place between his officials and representatives of oil and gas companies that have either invested in offshore drilling or wish to become involved in exploration and or extraction in territorial waters. [25515/19]

Housing Adaptation Grant Funding

Brian Stanley

673. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when the allocation for local authority grants will be forwarded to city and county councils to fund mobility aid and housing adaptation grants for council housing. [25434/19]

Local Authority Housing Provision

Brian Stanley

42. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the steps he is taking to simplify and speed up the process of approval by his Department for local authority housing schemes. [24032/19]

Local Authority Housing

Brian Stanley

89. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will consider establishing generic housing designs for local authority housing in order to speed up the delivery of social housing. [24031/19]