Parliamentary questions

Action Plan for Rural Development Implementation

Peadar Tóibín

145. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if the review of planning legislation to allow the change of use of vacant commercial properties in cities, town and villages, as outlined in the Action Plan for Rural Development, action 6, has taken place; if not, the stage the review is at; when the results will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23392/17]

Rural Resettlement Scheme

Peadar Tóibín

146. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if the relative requirements and appropriate targets for an additional rural resettlement initiative have been reviewed, as outlined in the Action Plan for Rural Development, action 9; when the outcome of the review will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23393/17]

Action Plan for Rural Development

Peadar Tóibín

189. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if the four innovation hubs in the Gaeltacht regions of counties Donegal, Mayo, Galway and Kerry, as outlined in action 84 of the Action Plan for Rural Development, have been developed; if not, the stage of development each hub has reached; the completion date for the hubs; the amount each hub will cost to develop; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23387/17]

Action Plan for Rural Development Implementation

Peadar Tóibín

190. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if the recommendations of the Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas report and the charter for rural Ireland have been reviewed, as outlined in action 86 of the Action Plan for Rural Development; when the review findings will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23388/17]

Action Plan for Rural Development Implementation

Peadar Tóibín

191. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if the industry-wide long-term plan for Ireland as a global hub for the production of film, television, drama and animation has been drawn up, as stated in the Action Plan for Rural Development; if not, the stage of completion the plan is at; the estimated date for publication; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23389/17]

Action Plan for Rural Development Implementation

Peadar Tóibín

192. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the position regarding the review of the rural economic development zone initiative with regard to its impact on rural communities; the estimated date of completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23390/17]

Action Plan for Rural Development

Peadar Tóibín

193. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the position regarding the scheme to indemnify private landowners with regard to recreational users of their lands, as outlined in the Action Plan for Rural Development; the estimated date of publication of this scheme; and the estimated cost of same. [23391/17]

Road Traffic Offences Data

Peadar Tóibín

118. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons convicted and arrested for drink driving by age, gender, county and Garda district for each year from 2007. [23075/17]

Road Traffic Offences Data

Peadar Tóibín

119. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons convicted and arrested for speeding by age, gender, county and Garda district for each year from 2007. [23076/17]

Penalty Points System Data

Peadar Tóibín

120. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons to whom penalty points were issued by age, gender, county and Garda district for each year from 2007. [23077/17]

Alternative Energy Projects

Peadar Tóibín

206. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government when he will publish the wind turbine guidelines. [22775/17]

Seirbhísí Oileán

Peadar Tóibín

328. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil sí sásta bualadh le Comharchumann Inis Mór chun conradh Aer Árann a phlé leo, i bhfianaise na titime atá tar éis teacht ar an méid daoine atá ag úsáid na seirbhíse de bharr an chonartha nua, rud a fhágann nach bhfuil an tseirbhís ag freastal ar an éileamh níos mó, agus go gcosnaíonn an tseirbhís an iomarca airgid ar gach paisinéir taobh amuigh den Oibleagáid Seirbhíse Poiblí (PSO); agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [22983/17]

Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge

Peadar Tóibín

329. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cén fáth a bhfuil teorainn íseal leis an méid scoláirí ón mórthír a fhreastalaíonn ar mheánscoileanna ar na hoileáin Ghaeltachta, ós rud é go bhfuil éileamh mór ar an scéim seo, go gcuireann sí go mór le hoideachas na scoláirí, go dtreisíonn sí le hoideachas meánleibhéil ar na hoileáin, agus ós rud é nach dtógfadh sé ach €150,000 sa bhliain chun an scéim a oscailt suas go mór; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [23052/17]

Deontais faoi Údarás na Gaeltachta

Peadar Tóibín

330. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cén fáth a bhfuil Comharchumainn na n-oileán Gaeltachta ag fáil níos lú deontas ón Stát ná Comharchumainn na n-oileán Galltachta, ós rud é go mbíonn níos mó cúraimí orthu, go háirithe ó thaobh an Ghaeilge a chothú; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [23053/17]

Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Data

Peadar Tóibín

508. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the final areas of natural constraint, ANC, map will be produced; the average income of farmers in the previous ANC zone in counties Meath and Westmeath; and if all areas in the pre-existing ANC zones in counties Meath and Westmeath will be kept in the new ANC zone. [23060/17]

Ceadúnú Báid Iascaireachta Mara

Peadar Tóibín

512. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara cén staid ag a bhfuil an tAthbhreithniú ar Bhainistiú na hAcmhainneachta Cabhlaigh; cathain a fhoilseofar an tAthbhreithniú; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [23154/17]

Action Plan for Rural Development Implementation

Peadar Tóibín

548. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the strategy to underpin the development, funding and promotion of greenways has been developed in quarter 2 of 2017 as was promised in the Action Plan for Rural Development; if not, the stage it is currently at; when it is due for publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22926/17]

Taxi Regulations

Peadar Tóibín

549. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the review of the small public service vehicle driver licensing framework has been carried out; when the findings will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22927/17]

Regional Road Network

Peadar Tóibín

550. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the scope for increased investment in regional roads, in view of the review of the capital investment plan 2016 to 2021, as outlined in the Action Plan for Rural Development has been examined; the stage this scoping review is at currently; if the findings will be published; if so, when the publication is due; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22928/17]

Hospital Appointments Status

Peadar Tóibín

187. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied). [22478/17]

Action Plan for Rural Development Implementation

Peadar Tóibín

176. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if the monitoring committee of the Action Plan for Rural Development has been set up; when the group will meet; the persons appointed to the group; if the monitoring process for the action plan has begun; the priority actions and milestones that have been identified for the first six-month segment as outlined in the action plan (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22232/17]

North-South Interconnector

Peadar Tóibín

226. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the tender process will be complete for the contracting of international experts to investigate the costs of undergrounding the North-South interconnector versus the overheading of same; when the experts will be in place; when the investigation will be complete; and if he envisages a postponement or delay in the project as a result of the investigation. [22205/17]

Immigration Support Services

Peadar Tóibín

143. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the steps she will take to assist a person (details supplied) living here to renew their passport. [22032/17]

Higher Education Authority Funding

Peadar Tóibín

165. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the academic library tender, which is due for renewal in July 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21991/17]

Schools Building Projects Status

Peadar Tóibín

217. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the refurbishment works on a school at a location (details supplied); when this building will be available for use by a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21915/17]

National Museum

Peadar Tóibín

339. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if her Department has a written oversight arrangement with the National Museum of Ireland as per the code of practice for the governance of State bodies published in 2016; and if so, if she will make a copy of this available. [21508/17]

National Museum

Peadar Tóibín

340. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the way in which roles and responsibilities are delineated between the National Museum of Ireland and her Department in order that effective accountability is possible only with clearly defined roles and responsibilities between her Department and State bodies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21509/17]

National Museum

Peadar Tóibín

341. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the way in which the National Museum of Ireland operates as an autonomous body as set out in the National Cultural Institutions Act 1997; the detail of this autonomy in view of the fact the museum is being funded primarily by State funds and its board is comprised of ministerial appointees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21510/17]

Public Service Vehicles

Peadar Tóibín

643. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to introduce electric, hybrid and biogas buses into each of the State bus companies; his plans to introduce electric, hybrid and biogas buses into the private bus fleets; his plans to introduce electric, hybrid and biogas taxis into the State; if he will he use quota systems to achieve these objectives; the expected start date for the process; and when these quota objectives will be achieved. [22165/17]

Arts in Education Charter

Peadar Tóibín

115. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made to date with regard to the commitment by his Department in the arts in education charter to greater out-of-hours use of schools facilities to give children and young people access to arts activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21295/17]

Social Welfare Benefits Data

Peadar Tóibín

137. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons under 26 years of age on jobseeker's allowance, jobseeker's benefit and signing for credits for 12 months or more. [21260/17]

Social Welfare Benefits Data

Peadar Tóibín

138. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons under 26 years of age on jobseeker's allowance, jobseeker's benefit and signing for credits for 36 months or more. [21261/17]

Arts Funding

Peadar Tóibín

156. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her views on increased investment in arts funding for children and young persons (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21297/17]

Arts Council

Peadar Tóibín

157. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of staff in the young person, children and education department of the Arts Council in the years 2007, 2012 and to date in 2017 respectively, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21298/17]

Arts Council

Peadar Tóibín

158. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of whole time equivalent staff in the units within the Arts Council (details supplied) in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21299/17]

Arts in Education Charter

Peadar Tóibín

159. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if progress has been made in the provision and planning for the 383,000 young persons served by the non-formal or youth work sector to access the arts (details supplied); the stakeholders her Department is in dialogue with in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21300/17]

Arts in Education Charter

Peadar Tóibín

160. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the implications of her plan to fast-track the implementation of the Arts in Education Charter; if this will impact on provision for 383,000 young persons, many of whom are young persons with fewer opportunities involved in the non-formal and youth work sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21301/17]

Maoiniú d'Eagrais Ghaeilge

Peadar Tóibín

220. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cad é go praiticiúil atá beartaithe aici a dhéanamh chun dul i ngleic leis na scéalta tubaisteacha go bhfuil titim tagtha ar líon na nGaeilgeoirí sa stát don chéad uair ó 1946 i leith, agus titim ollmhór tagtha ar líon na ndaoine a labhraíonn Gaeilge go laethúil sa Ghaeltacht; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [20954/17]

Maoiniú d'Eagrais Ghaeilge

Peadar Tóibín

221. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an gcuirfidh sí an maoiniú cuí ar fáil anois, i bhfianaise fhigiúirí tubaisteacha an daonáirimh, leis an phlean infheistíochta Gaeilge, atá aontaithe ag 80 grúpa Gaeilge ar fud na tíre, a chur i bhfeidhm ina iomláine, le postanna is breis deiseanna úsáide Gaeilge a chruthú; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [20955/17]

Maoiniú d'Eagrais Ghaeilge

Peadar Tóibín

222. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an aontaíonn sí gur chóir scéim fostaíochta shuntasach a chruthú sa Ghaeltacht i bhfianaise fhigiúirí tubaisteacha an daonáirimh faoin titim ollmhór atá tagtha ar líon na gcainteoirí Gaeilge sna ceantair Ghaeltachta; an aontaíonn sí gurb í an dóigh is éifeachtaí chun an méid sin a dhéanamh maoiniú a chur ar fáil don phlean infheistíochta Gaeilge; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [20956/17]

Meath na Gaeltachta

Peadar Tóibín

40. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cad a dhéanfaidh an Rialtas chun stop a chur le meath na Gaeltachta; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [20620/17]

Citizens Assembly

Peadar Tóibín

193. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the total cost of operating the Citizens Assembly (details supplied); the reason only 100 persons were selected originally; and the demographic details of the 88 persons who cast votes. [20461/17]

Gaelscoil Issues

Peadar Tóibín

291. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education and Skills the costs involved in changing the status of English speaking schools, both primary and secondary, to Irish medium schools. [19208/17]

Western Development Commission Data

Peadar Tóibín

685. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the operational activities and costs to the State of the Western Development Commission. [19191/17]

Irish Language

Peadar Tóibín

688. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the estimated cost of rolling out a programme here equivalent to Líofa which is a government sponsored Irish language programme operating in Northern Ireland. [19206/17]

Scéim na gCúntóirí Teanga

Peadar Tóibín

689. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cén costas a bhainfidh le Scéim na gCúntóirí Teanga a chur i bhfeidhm don scoilbhliain 2017/2018 agus gach scoil laistigh den Ghaeltacht san áireamh; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [19207/17]

Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge

Peadar Tóibín

757. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cad a dhéanfaidh an rialtas chun na gníomhartha ón Straitéis Fiche Bliain atá curtha i bhfeidhm a thomhas; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [20622/17]

Post Office Network

Peadar Tóibín

758. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the steps she is taking to keep post offices open. [20623/17]

Arts Promotion

Peadar Tóibín

759. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the steps she has taken to ensure artists have an income to allow them live while they develop their craft. [20624/17]

Departmental Agencies Data

Peadar Tóibín

1250. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the digital hubs that exist here that are in receipt of public money; the location of same; the details of State funds received each year for the previous five years; the start-up costs for each one; and the capital and current costs of each on an annual basis. [19210/17]