Parliamentary questions

Aquaculture Licences

Pat the Cope Gallagher

344. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position on the review of aquaculture licensing procedures and applications; the progress made on the issue since the matter went to public consultation; his views on the comprehensive submission made by this Deputy regarding the public consultation on the issue of aquaculture licensing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53617/19]

Schools Building Projects Status

Pat the Cope Gallagher

197. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application for a new school extension and improvement works by a school (details supplied); the timeframe for the project; when sanction will be given for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53036/19]

Schools Building Projects Status

Pat the Cope Gallagher

198. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application for a new school extension and improvement works by a school (details supplied); the timeframe for delivering the project; when sanction will be given for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53037/19]

Schools Building Projects Status

Pat the Cope Gallagher

202. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made on a school project (details supplied) in County Donegal; the timeline for the delivery of the new school buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53053/19]

Schools Building Projects Status

Pat the Cope Gallagher

203. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made on a school project (details supplied) in County Donegal; the timeline for the delivery of the new school building; when works will commence on site; if a budget is ring-fenced for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53054/19]

Schools Building Projects Status

Pat the Cope Gallagher

204. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application for a new school extension and improvement works for a school (details supplied); the delivery timeframe for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53055/19]

Schools Building Projects Status

Pat the Cope Gallagher

205. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made on a school project (details supplied) in County Donegal; the timeline for the delivery of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53056/19]

Hospital Staff Data

Pat the Cope Gallagher

424. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 359 of 1 October 2019, the reason the parliamentary question has remained unanswered to date despite two reminders seeking an answer to the question placed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53076/19]

Interdepartmental Committees Reports

Pat the Cope Gallagher

585. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the interdepartmental group review into the community employment, rural social scheme and Tús has been completed; if a copy of the report will be made available to this Deputy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50162/19]

Summer Works Scheme Data

Pat the Cope Gallagher

99. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the primary and secondary schools in County Donegal that made an application for the 2020 summer works scheme; the works requested by the respective schools which applied for funding; the reason schools failed in their application for works under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49525/19]

Public Transport Initiatives

Pat the Cope Gallagher

240. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider making the no alcoholic substances allowed programme compulsory for transport providers in an attempt to deal comprehensively with underage drinking; if his attention has been drawn to the fact the programme runs extremely well on a voluntary basis but needs to be made compulsory in order to deal with the growing issue of underage drinking on transport operator vehicles when travelling to and from social events and discos; if he will work on a cross-agency approach with a view to fully implementing the programme on a statutory basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49595/19]

Fish Landings

Pat the Cope Gallagher

47. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to recommence the weighing of pelagic species at point of landing; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the weighing of pelagic fish species at point of landing is a flawed approach; if his attention has been further drawn to the serious consequences for the quality of fish; if the sector has been consulted on the matter; if so, when such meetings took place; the discussions he has had with the control authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49071/19]

EU Investigations

Pat the Cope Gallagher

70. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the investigation by the European Commission into the lack of control in certain areas carried out by the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority; the background to the investigation; the terms of reference for same; the timeline for the completion of the investigation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49070/19]

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Pat the Cope Gallagher

79. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health his plans for each community hospital in County Donegal; his future plans for each of the community hospitals; if funding is ring-fenced for each of the projects proposed; the timeline for the delivery of each of the planned improvements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48527/19]

Hospital Services

Pat the Cope Gallagher

123. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health his plans for Letterkenny University Hospital in the winter strategy and the need to provide additional bed capacity at the hospital; his views on the number of vacant posts within the CHO 1 area and the impact the embargo is having on staffing numbers; the steps he will take to deal with the waiting lists at the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48526/19]

Schools Building Projects Status

Pat the Cope Gallagher

66. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding school building projects (details supplied); if funding is available for the projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47368/19]

Schools Building Projects Status

Pat the Cope Gallagher

78. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made to date on schools (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47367/19]

Hospital Staff Data

Pat the Cope Gallagher

449. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health if an updated report will be provided on the number of vacant posts unfilled in St Joseph’s Community Hospital, Stranorlar, County Donegal; the type of posts in this regard; the number of which are unfilled due to the employment embargo; the number of vacant posts that have been advertised; the number which are vacant but not advertised for filling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47716/19]

Hospital Staff Data

Pat the Cope Gallagher

450. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health if an updated report will be provided on the number of vacant posts unfilled in Ramelton Community Hospital, Stranorlar , County Donegal; the type of posts in this regard; the number of which are unfilled due to the employment embargo; the number of vacant posts that have been advertised; the number which are vacant but not advertised for filling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47717/19]

Hospital Staff Data

Pat the Cope Gallagher

451. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health if an updated report will be provided on the number of vacant posts unfilled in Killybegs Community Hospital, County Donegal; the type of posts in this regard; the number of which are unfilled due to the employment embargo; the number of vacant posts that have been advertised; the number which are vacant but not currently advertised for filling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47718/19]

Hospital Staff Data

Pat the Cope Gallagher

452. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health if an updated report will be provided on the number of vacant posts unfilled in Lifford Community Hospital, County Donegal ; the type of posts in this regard; the number of which are unfilled due to the employment embargo; the number of vacant posts that have been advertised; the number which are vacant but not advertised for filling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47719/19]

Hospital Staff Data

Pat the Cope Gallagher

453. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health if an updated report will be provided on the number of vacant posts unfilled in Falcarragh Community Hospital, County Donegal ; the type of posts in this regard; the number of which are unfilled due to the employment embargo; the number of vacant posts that have been advertised; the number which are vacant but not advertised for filling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47720/19]

Hospital Staff Data

Pat the Cope Gallagher

454. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health if an updated report will be provided on the number of vacant posts unfilled in Dungloe Community Hospital, County Donegal; the type of posts in this regard; the number of which are unfilled due to the employment embargo; the number of vacant posts that have been advertised; the number which are vacant but not advertised for filling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47721/19]

Hospital Staff Data

Pat the Cope Gallagher

455. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health if an updated report will be provided on the number of vacant posts unfilled in Donegal Community Hospital, Donegal Town, County Donegal; the type of posts in this regard; the number of which are unfilled due to the employment embargo; the number of vacant posts that have been advertised; the number which are vacant but not advertised for filling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47722/19]

Organic Farming Scheme Data

Pat the Cope Gallagher

484. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of funding which was specifically earmarked for new entrants for the organic farming scheme in 2018, 2019 and planned for 2020; the number of new entrants availing of the scheme in 2019; the number of new entrants which were unsuccessful in attaining entry into the scheme; the main reason therefore; the appeals mechanism for unsuccessful applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47546/19]

Organic Farming Scheme Expenditure

Pat the Cope Gallagher

485. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the organic farming scheme is fully funded at present; if the scheme has additional capacity for new entrants; if the scheme is not oversubscribed at present; the amount of funding set aside and not committed for new entrants in 2019 and 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47547/19]

Broadband Service Provision

Pat the Cope Gallagher

39. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans for households that are in near proximity to Eir fibre to the home or FTTH but still cannot avail of fibre at present; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a number of households are in close proximity to FTTH but were not included in the original 300,000 commercial roll-out of fibre; if the possibility of having these numerous households connected to broadband will be investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42156/19]

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Pat the Cope Gallagher

74. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to sign the contract for the complete roll-out of fibre to the home; and the timeline for delivering the plan to rural areas such as County Donegal (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42157/19]

Home Help Service Data

Pat the Cope Gallagher

158. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health the average waiting time for home help package applications in County Donegal; the length of time after approval of home help it takes in the county to receive the service in the applicant's home; the number of applicants waiting for home care at present in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42394/19]

Ambulance Service Provision

Pat the Cope Gallagher

164. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health the plans in place for restoring a second ambulance to south-west Donegal covering the area from Inver to Glencolmcille, including the areas of Ardara and Glenties; if in the context of the new budget for 2020 this will be given priority from his Department and the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42410/19]

Mobile Telephony Services

Pat the Cope Gallagher

202. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans for improving the availability of mobile telephone signals in rural Ireland and particularly in County Donegal; if he is dealing with this matter as a priority at present; his views on whether something can be achieved to alleviate this crisis of mobile telephone coverage nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42409/19]

Regional Road Network

Pat the Cope Gallagher

221. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if additional funding for the R232 Laghey to Pettigo regional road in County Donegal will be provided; if he will further commit to completing the ongoing upgrading of the road in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42407/19]

Commercial Rates

Pat the Cope Gallagher

273. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 708 and 709 of 2 July 2019, if the revaluation of the commercial rates base for County Donegal will commence in the final quarter of 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42392/19]

Fish Quotas

Pat the Cope Gallagher

63. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the recent International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, ICES, mackerel advice which shows a further increase on its revised ICES scientific advice given in May 2019 for the mackerel total allowable catch, TAC, for 2020; if assurance will be given to the marine sector that this new advice of 922,064 tonnes will be fully incorporated in the overall TAC quotas for 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41761/19]

Fish Quotas

Pat the Cope Gallagher

65. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the actions taken by Iceland in significantly increasing its mackerel share for 2019; the actions he and the EU Commission propose to take against Iceland for fishing in this unsustainable manner; if the revised ICES advice for mackerel stocks will form the basis for setting an increased TAC for Ireland in the 2020 fisheries quota talks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41760/19]

Schools Building Projects Status

Pat the Cope Gallagher

194. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application by a school (details supplied) for a new school building; the progress made on the project over the past six months; the timeline for the complete delivery of this school project in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41802/19]

Schools Refurbishment

Pat the Cope Gallagher

195. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details supplied) will be added to the major capital schools programme 2016 to 2021; if his attention has been drawn to the scale of works required at the school through rapid expansion of its school enrolment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41803/19]

Schools Refurbishment

Pat the Cope Gallagher

198. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application by a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41848/19]

HSE Planning

Pat the Cope Gallagher

152. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 374 to 376, inclusive, of 24 September 2019, if the HSE Capital Plan 2019 to 2021 has a financial commitment to upgrade the long-stay residential unit, residential care units and dementia care of St. Joseph’s Community Hospital and Ramelton Community Hospital, County Donegal; if the funding in the plan will bring these to community hospitals up to the full standards required for residential care units as opposed to the derogated standards thus ensuring the long-term future of these specific residential care units within the community hospitals beyond 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39993/19]

Community Employment Schemes Supervisors

Pat the Cope Gallagher

230. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of ongoing meetings with community employment scheme supervisors; her views on pension entitlements for supervisors of the schemes in view of the ongoing negotiations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39995/19]

Hospital Staff Data

Pat the Cope Gallagher

359. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health if an updated report will be provided on the number of vacant posts unfilled in each of the Departments in Letterkenny University Hospital; the type of posts in this regard; the number of these which are unfilled due to the current employment embargo; the number of vacant posts that have been advertised; the number which are vacant but not currently advertised for filling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39486/19]

Departmental Surveys

Pat the Cope Gallagher

651. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when her Department last conducted a grey seal survey; the outcome of same; her plans to introduce a grey seal management plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39541/19]

HSE Planning

Pat the Cope Gallagher

374. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health if the recently published HSE capital plan contains a commitment to secure the residential care units for St. Joseph’s Community Hospital, Stranorlar, by providing the necessary funding for upgrading the hospital; the specific section within the capital plan in which the actual reference is contained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38865/19]

HSE Planning

Pat the Cope Gallagher

375. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health if the recently published HSE capital plan contains a commitment to secure the residential care units for Ramelton Community Hospital, County Donegal by providing the necessary funding for upgrading the hospital; the specific section within the capital plan in which the actual reference is contained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38866/19]

HSE Planning

Pat the Cope Gallagher

376. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health the reason Lifford Community Hospital did not form part of the current HSE capital plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38867/19]

Fisheries Offences

Pat the Cope Gallagher

397. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans for introducing a penalty points system for fishing infringements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38830/19]

Bóithre Gaeltachta

Pat the Cope Gallagher

3. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil sí chun cuairt a thabhairt ar an cheantar Gaeltachta i nDún na nGall, áit a ndearna tuilte damáiste le gairid, na hoileáin san áireamh; an dtabharfaidh sí dearbhú go mbeidh maoiniú ar fáil don obair chóirithe leis an damáiste a chóiriú agus, i gcomhar le Comhairle Contae Dhún na nGall, go gcuirfidh sí plean le chéile leis an damáiste a rinneadh a chóiriú; an bhfuil sí eolach go ndearnadh a leithéid cheana nuair a rinne tuilte scrios in 2009 i nGaeltacht Dhún na nGall; an dtabharfaidh sí scála ama le go bhféadfaí an maoiniú atá riachtanach a cheadú le cois buiséad táscach don obair chóirithe a bheidh maoinithe ag a Roinn; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [37727/19]

Scéim na mBóithre Áise

Pat the Cope Gallagher

24. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an ndeimhneoidh sí go mbeidh allúntas á chur ar fáil i mbliana do thograí bóithre Gaeltachta; an ndeimhneoidh sí freisin an mbeidh allúntas ar fáil do bhóithre ar na hoileáin sa bhliain airgeadais reatha agus cén scála ama a bheadh i gceist lena leithéid d’allúntas a cheadú, ag cur san áireamh gurb é seo an 9ú mí den bhliain; an gcuirfidh sí san áireamh maoiniú a chur ar fáil do Bhóithre Áise i meastacháin na bliana seo le haghaidh Bhuiséad 2020; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [37661/19]

Calafoirt agus Céanna

Pat the Cope Gallagher

38. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an dtabharfaidh sí cuntas ar an dul chun cinn go dáta ar an iarratas chun uasghrádú agus cóiriú a dhéanamh ar ché na Reannaí ar Oileán Árainn Mhór i gContae Dhún na nGall; an dtabharfaidh sí cuntas freisin ar an scála ama leis an obair seo a dhéanamh ar an gcé, a rachaidh go mór chun tairbhe do phobal an oileáin; an bhfuil meastachán déanta ag a Roinn ar na costais a d’fhéadfadh a bheith bainteach leis an togra oibre seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [37660/19]

Garda Transport Data

Pat the Cope Gallagher

108. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda vehicles available within the Donegal division in each of the years 2009 to date; his views on recent media reports which indicate that the Garda car fleet within County Donegal is reduced by 25%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38131/19]