Parliamentary questions

Cross-Border Health Services Provision

Tony McLoughlin

330. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health if he will investigate with the HSE a case involving the cross-Border directive unit and a person (details supplied); the reason it will not reimburse a person the costs for sensitive medical care which was agreed to be reimbursed before they underwent surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53803/19]

Walks Scheme

Tony McLoughlin

435. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when payments will be made to the landowners on the O'Sullivan Beare Walkway by his Department in view of the fact the payment is anticipated by landowners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53831/19]

Diplomatic Representation

Tony McLoughlin

103. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will consider expanding the diplomatic footprint further in 2020 by increasing the number of embassies globally; if Georgia will be considered as a location for such a new embassy in view of its strategic importance in the region, its strong values and support towards the EU and its geographical location as the gateway between the EU and Asia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52915/19]

Organic Farming Scheme Applications

Tony McLoughlin

488. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the decision to reject an organic farming scheme application by a person (details supplied) will be overturned on appeal; the reason almost 75% of applicants to the scheme have been refused despite meeting the conditions of the scheme since first applying; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the number of farmers in the scheme is only at the level it was at in 2016; his plans to address the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52585/19]

Forestry Sector

Tony McLoughlin

519. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the grant aid available to landowners of forestry which is landlocked and which needs new road access in order to undergo thinning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52818/19]

Tax Code

Tony McLoughlin

133. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Finance his plans to reduce the current rate of the life assurance exit tax in order to bring it in line with the rate of DIRT; the reason there is an 8% difference in the two tax bands for savings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51290/19]

Services for People with Disabilities

Tony McLoughlin

327. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the HSE and service providers offering home sharing to persons with intellectual disabilities, physical and sensory disability and-or autism do so in the absence of legislation protecting the service; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that in the absence of legislation and regulations professionals are also vulnerable in the monitoring and safeguarding of persons in such arrangements; his plans to address the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51183/19]

Cosmetic Surgery

Tony McLoughlin

352. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 376 of 9 April 2019, the status of the patient safety (licensing) Bill in view of the continuing and ongoing lack of regulation with regard to non-medics being allowed to administer lip fillers here (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51272/19]

Bus Services

Tony McLoughlin

525. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the NTA will install bus shelters at locations (details supplied) in County Sligo; if it will consider moving a bus stop to a more suitable location to allow for the safer access to the bus by residents in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51208/19]

LEADER Programmes Administration

Tony McLoughlin

31. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the process the counties that were allocated additional LEADER funding must now go through when allocating the additional funding to applicants in their counties; if the next highest scoring applicants that missed out on the original LEADER funding should now be first to receive the new funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50430/19]

Town and Village Renewal Scheme

Tony McLoughlin

360. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of town and village pilot residential occupancy scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50693/19]

Regional Enterprise Development Fund

Tony McLoughlin

55. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation when she expects to announce successful projects under the 2019 regional enterprise development fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49960/19]

Schools Site Acquisitions

Tony McLoughlin

170. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of a proposed beneficial land swap involving a school (details supplied) and his Department; when a decision will be made on the proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50231/19]

Proposed Legislation

Tony McLoughlin

329. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health his views on whether the wording of the proposed Treatment of Cancer (Advertisements) Bill 2018 will have unforeseen and unintended consequences for the access to information by persons in relation to health resulting in potential access to complementary and alternative medicine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49732/19]

Broadband Service Provision

Tony McLoughlin

19. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the type of services that will be available at broadband connection points; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49343/19]

Broadband Service Provision

Tony McLoughlin

31. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the potential benefits of high speed broadband with respect to healthcare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49344/19]

Local Authority Funding

Tony McLoughlin

282. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of a payment to Sligo County Council (details supplied); if the allocation of additional funding to the council has been approved in order to allow same to appoint a land asset management team and the staffing levels required as outlined to his Department on 11 October 2019; when the funding will be allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49183/19]

Land Swaps

Tony McLoughlin

185. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a proposed beneficial land swap involving a school (detail supplied) and his Department; when a decision will be made on the proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48543/19]

Pharmacy Services

Tony McLoughlin

300. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health his views on whether pharmacies are best placed to help reduce the burden on general practitioners and accident and emergency departments nationwide (details supplied); his further views on whether such schemes and services could have multiple benefits for the HSE and further support smaller and independent pharmacies financially in the event that the proposed cuts in the current draft of the new pharmacy contract are not removed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48738/19]

Vaccine Damage Compensation Scheme

Tony McLoughlin

329. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health the efforts being taken to ensure that the other 100 young persons affected by the swine influenza vaccine will not have to go through lengthy legal action to be compensated by the State in view of the recent swine influenza vaccination legal case taken against the HSE and his Department which came to a conclusion recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48961/19]

Pharmacy Services

Tony McLoughlin

334. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that rural and smaller independent pharmacies will be most affected by the proposed new pharmacy fee scheme; his plans to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49013/19]

Pharmacy Services

Tony McLoughlin

335. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health the reason for the current proposed changes to the pharmacy fee scheme; his views on whether this is fair and equitable in view of the understanding that most small independent pharmacies look set to be hit by over €35,000 per year as a result; his plans to amend the proposed fee scheme going forward in order that it gives back to the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49014/19]

Community Services Programme

Tony McLoughlin

451. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of an application for a manager by a company (details supplied) under the community services programme; when the applications will be decided upon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48727/19]

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Tony McLoughlin

490. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a carer’s allowance review will be finalised for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48966/19]

SOLAS Funding

Tony McLoughlin

77. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 342 of 8 May 2019, the breakdown of figures to include the initial tender price for supplying the TENRCS system; the status on the operation of the TENRCS system nationally; if the system has been shelved due to the fact it was not fit for purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48373/19]

Higher Education Institutions

Tony McLoughlin

79. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the measures his Department takes to ensure that courses undertaken at universities and institutes of technology remain relevant to the changing workforce trends here; if there is data available which identifies the number of students that gained full-time employment directly as a result of their institute qualification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48375/19]

University Status Applications

Tony McLoughlin

95. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the application by Sligo Institute of Technology for university status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48470/19]

Schools Building Projects Status

Tony McLoughlin

96. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status and proposed timeline for funding of the construction of a new school building at a school (details supplied) in County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48471/19]

Garda Stations

Tony McLoughlin

110. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the timeline for the relocation of a Garda station from a building which is not fit for purpose to a new suitable location in Tubbercurry, County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48484/19]

Medical Aids and Appliances Provision

Tony McLoughlin

160. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the lack of pump services available for adults with type 1 diabetes in Sligo University Hospital (details supplied); his plans to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48472/19]

Hospital Waiting Lists Action Plans

Tony McLoughlin

161. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the recent figures of the rising number of persons that are waiting on trolleys in Sligo University Hospital; his plans to introduce more beds at the hospital in the short term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48479/19]

Hospital Services

Tony McLoughlin

162. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health when the hospital will be permitted to obtain a new fixed cardio cath lab service to cover the north west region in view of the fact that the national review conducted to investigate the provision of the services here has not yet reported despite the timeline for its work to be completed being long overdue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48480/19]

Defibrillators Provision

Tony McLoughlin

163. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health his plans to support voluntary groups that wish to install cardiac defibrillators in their towns and villages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48486/19]

Electric Vehicles

Tony McLoughlin

200. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to introduce new fast electric car chargers in the Sligo area; the grants he will make available for businesses to develop these chargers privately; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48475/19]

Electric Vehicles

Tony McLoughlin

201. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to make additional electrical resources and capacity available off the grid network system to power fast electric chargers for service stations and other major destinations located in the northwest region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48476/19]

Water and Sewerage Schemes Funding

Tony McLoughlin

202. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will consider the recent reports by the EPA regarding inadequately treated sewage at treatment plants in counties Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal; his plans to grant funding to upgrade the system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48481/19]

Recycling Policy

Tony McLoughlin

203. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to support local communities in rolling out the reverse vending recycling machine capabilities; his plans for such machines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48483/19]

Community Development Projects Funding

Tony McLoughlin

204. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to support local community groups to protect natural sand dunes in areas such as Strandhill, County Sligo; the funding available to support same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48485/19]

Transport Policy

Tony McLoughlin

217. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to support the introduction of electric or hybrid buses, taxis and other PSVs in counties Sligo and Leitrim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48477/19]

Local Improvement Scheme

Tony McLoughlin

218. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the timeline for the construction and funding of the eastern Garavogue Bridge in County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48478/19]

Tourism Promotion

Tony McLoughlin

219. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for improved tourism marketing in the north west region; the efforts made to attract more tourists above the Galway to Dublin line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48482/19]

Invalidity Pension Applications

Tony McLoughlin

250. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will issue on an invalidity pension application by a person (details supplied) in view of the fact that the application was received by his Department on 1 March 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48410/19]

Vacant Sites Levy

Tony McLoughlin

258. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if funding acquired locally during 2019 from the vacant site levy will be allowed to be spent by the county council that collected it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48469/19]

Regeneration Projects

Tony McLoughlin

272. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the progress report for east County Sligo and Cranmore invariant remaster plan; the funding drawn down to date; the planned timeline for its development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48468/19]

Emergency Works Scheme Applications

Tony McLoughlin

147. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application for emergency works made by a school (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to the serious nature of the damage involved to the roof in question and the importance of this damaged room to this small school; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that the damaged roof is an asbestos product which further heightens the seriousness of the need for a replacement in view of its close proximity to children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47170/19]

Forestry Sector

Tony McLoughlin

498. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a forestry application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47741/19]

Forestry Sector

Tony McLoughlin

499. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a forestry application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47742/19]

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Tony McLoughlin

610. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the file of a person (details supplied) will be sent to the Social Welfare Appeals Office from the invalidity pension section; the reason for the delay in sending the file to the appeals section in view of the fact that the delay is causing undue financial hardship to the person; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47320/19]

Services for People with Disabilities

Tony McLoughlin

149. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health the reason a new transport charge of €4 for persons with disabilities who are travelling to HSE day services has been introduced in County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47058/19]

Small and Medium Enterprises Supports

Tony McLoughlin

117. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Finance his plans to ensure that micro businesses that operate inside the fossil fuel industry in business such as stove selling and installation, which will be most affected by the introduction of a carbon tax and the move towards a greener economy, are supported if their businesses are forced to close due to the introduction of this new tax; if this will be consistent with the approach to protect those most vulnerable to the changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46083/19]