Parliamentary questions

Medicinal Products Availability

Bobby Aylward

541. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health if he will commence a health technology assessment to assess the benefits and cost-effectiveness through the HSE of FreeStyle Libre, a sensor for measuring blood sugars, with a view to making it available on the General Medical Services, GMS, and long-term illness card, in view of the fact that this technology is available on the Irish market through a website (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37159/16]

Disability Allowance Payments

Bobby Aylward

110. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) has had an eight week delay for receipt of a disability allowance back payment having been notified by the social protection appeals office that the appeal was successful on 14 September 2016 and despite the fact that the extenuating circumstances surrounding applicant's finances have been communicated to his Department on more than one occasion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36519/16]

Traveller Community

Bobby Aylward

113. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when formal State recognition will be provided to the Traveller community as an ethnic group, in line with a previous statement by the Attorney General in July 2015 that no impediment exists in respect of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35798/16]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Bobby Aylward

216. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills the protocol for allocation of resource teaching hours in respect of students with learning disabilities who have shown general improvements in day-to-day learning and end of term examinations; if a student with a learning disability achieves high scores in their end of term examinations, whether resource teaching hours are likely to be reduced in advance of the following term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36145/16]

Hospital Consultant Recruitment

Bobby Aylward

201. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 529 of 12 July 2016, the status of his commitment that the recruitment of a consultant medical oncologist with a special interest in sarcoma, based in St. Vincent's University Hospital, will be prioritised; the criteria stipulated in the job description to ensure that a specialist with extensive experience in treating this rare disease is being sought by his Department; if he is satisfied that the recruitment process commenced by the director general of the HSE will ensure that a specialist of world class standard will fill this position and that the highest possible standards will be met unequivocally in respect of treating patients with sarcoma; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35395/16]

Garda Deployment

Bobby Aylward

88. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda stations and the number of gardaí in each in counties Carlow and Kilkenny on 31 October 2010 and on 31 October 2016; the proportion of the proposed 800 additional recruits in 2017 that are likely to be assigned to counties Carlow and Kilkenny; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34661/16]

Crime Levels

Bobby Aylward

99. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if recorded crime statistics for counties Carlow and Kilkenny are an accurate reflection of the reality of crime in the area; if all Garda stations in counties Carlow and Kilkenny have access to the PULSE system; if not, the details of the stations without access; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34660/16]

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Bobby Aylward

266. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there is any form of funding available to assist a programme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34914/16]

Forestry Sector

Bobby Aylward

622. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will investigate the feasibility and potential benefits of implementing a system by which a private company may purchase carbon credits from private forestry owners for the purpose of reducing their carbon credit rating; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34497/16]

Salmon Hardship Scheme

Bobby Aylward

664. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will consider a voluntary buy out scheme for snap net fishermen on the rivers Barrow, Nore, Suir and Slaney, if the fishermen were prepared to relinquish their licences in favour of compensation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34960/16]

Salmon Hardship Scheme

Bobby Aylward

665. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will consider a voluntary buy out scheme for drift net fisherman on the estuaries to the rivers Barrow, Nore and Suir, if the fisherman were prepared to relinquish their licences in favour of compensation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34961/16]

Local Authority Boundaries Review

Bobby Aylward

76. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the amount pent to date or the funding approved by his Department for the process by which a three man boundary review commission was established to examine the boundary between Kilkenny and Waterford, from establishment in 2015 to date. [33129/16]

School Transport Appeals

Bobby Aylward

147. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total cost to the State of running and maintaining the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport's school transport appeals office, including total payment to staff and all associated costs per annum for the years 2015 and 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32804/16]

Housing Adaptation Grant

Bobby Aylward

181. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will investigate the possibility of amending the current criteria for the mobility aids housing grant scheme to ensure that applicants with severe arthritis and other such conditions are included under priority 1 status on the medical certificate section of the application form in response to reports that the current criteria is not specific enough to accommodate such conditions and undermines the severity of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32808/16]

Services for People with Disabilities

Bobby Aylward

336. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health if he will allocate funding to reinstate a project (details supplied); if he will consider providing funding in the future to reopen the project under SOS in view of the excellent feedback received regarding the benefits of the scheme for those with learning disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32805/16]

Services for People with Disabilities

Bobby Aylward

337. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the procedure for accommodating those who were housed under a project (details supplied) who may have been only one year into a two or three-year lease at the time when funding was not forthcoming and the project disbanded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32806/16]

Services for People with Disabilities

Bobby Aylward

338. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the process for accommodating a person (details supplied) who was actively engaged in a project before it was disbanded; if they will be housed by SOS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32807/16]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Bobby Aylward

360. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied); if he will ensure that there will be no further delay and surgery will go ahead as currently scheduled in order that there is no further deterioration in the person's condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32964/16]

School Enrolments Data

Bobby Aylward

74. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total number of post-primary school places which were available in advance of the commencement of the 2016/2017 academic year in schools within the Kilkenny city district; the number of applications received in respect of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32269/16]

School Costs

Bobby Aylward

211. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will address the huge disparity in school costs which exist from school to school throughout the country and the inequality faced by parents by providing funding for a free primary education system as costed at €103 million by a charity (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31767/16]

Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme

Bobby Aylward

249. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when decisions are expected to be issued on applications lodged under tranche 3 of TAMS 2; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that dairy farmers will be subjected to a very short timeline in which to complete necessary works to milking parlours and associated machinery in advance of calving if decisions are not returned as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31244/16]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Bobby Aylward

26. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the reason that University Hospital Waterford has experienced an increase of 159% in inpatient and day case waiting lists since May 2013 when it became part of the South-South West Hospitals Group and that it now accounts for more than 40% of the group waiting list compared with 23% in 2013. [30687/16]

National Treatment Purchase Fund Waiting Times

Bobby Aylward

83. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health his views on the September 2016 figures from the National Treatment Purchase Fund which showed that 7,607 persons are waiting more than 12 months for an outpatient appointment in Waterford University Hospital, with 2,944 waiting over 18 months [30686/16]

Nitrates Action Programme Implementation

Bobby Aylward

275. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will extend the 15 October deadline for slurry spreading in view of the severe weather experienced over the past few months, which has severely curtailed spreading activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30468/16]

Electoral Commission Administration

Bobby Aylward

286. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government when the three-man boundary review commission established to examine the boundary between counties Kilkenny and Waterford is expected to publish its concluding report, taking into consideration that it is over six months past the initial deadline of 31 March 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30415/16]

Hospital Services

Bobby Aylward

432. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health when the national steering group established by him to develop policy on a major trauma system for Ireland will publish its first report; if the report will outline the group's recommendations in respect of St. Luke's General Hospital, County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30416/16]

Services for People with Disabilities

Bobby Aylward

468. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify his Department's policy to address the exorbitant waiting list times for full-time residential placement through HSE disability services in Waterford community services in view of the fact that a person (details supplied) has been on the waiting list for approximately nine years having applied for full-time residential placement in 2007 and was subsequently placed on the residential care waiting list for full-time residential placement in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30557/16]

Hospital Services

Bobby Aylward

128. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health if the prioritisation for a second cath lab at University Hospital Waterford was previously assessed and approved by the South-South West Hospital Group prior to commissioning of the Herity report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30010/16]

Home Renovation Incentive Scheme Administration

Bobby Aylward

63. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Finance if he has examined the possibility of extending the home renovation incentive scheme beyond the current deadline of 31 December 2016 for homeowners and landlords; if there are any plans within his Department for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29664/16]

Departmental Funding

Bobby Aylward

337. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs further to a query (details supplied) to acknowledge that my office is fully aware of the application for Leader funding and the details of same; if she will address the original question put forward to her Department in August 2016 inquiring about any avenue of funding available to supplement this project in line with commitments made by previous Ministers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29802/16]

Renewable Energy Feed in Tariff Scheme Applications

Bobby Aylward

566. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to a query (details supplied) if the person concerned has already received REFIT approval from his Department; if he will address the original question put forward to his Department in June 2016 inquiring about any avenue of funding available in same to supplement this project in line with commitments made by previous Ministers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29801/16]

Back to Education Allowance Payments

Bobby Aylward

19. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will amend the current back to education allowance scheme legislation to take effect from the commencement of the 2016-2017 academic year by introducing a disregard of earnings up to €75 to allow students to earn money from part-time jobs to assist in funding their education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28741/16]

IBRC Loans

Bobby Aylward

85. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding the sale of the IBRC loans associated with the Whitfield Clinic in Waterford; the originating financial institutions associated with the Whitfield Clinic loans; the original financial institutions' book value of the loans associated with the Whitfield Clinic; the IBRC independent valuation of the Whitfield Clinic loans; the IBRC sale valuation achieved for the loans associated with the Whitfield Clinic; the completion date of IBRC's sale of the loans associated with the Whitfield Clinic; the name and beneficial owner of the successful purchaser of the IBRC loans associated with the Whitfield Clinic; details of other bids to IBRC associated with IBRC's sale of the loans associated the Whitfield Clinic in Waterford; the total of any monetary proceeds paid to NAMA by the special liquidator to IBRC in excess of the independent valuation in relation to the Whitfield loans under the exceptional liquidity assistance facility in the IBRC Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29107/16]

Fuel Allowance Eligibility

Bobby Aylward

152. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 389 of 27 September 2016, if he will consider extending the eligibility criteria for fuel allowance to include those in receipt of social protection payments over 70 years of age; if he will discuss this with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in advance of budget 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29040/16]

Student Grant Scheme Design

Bobby Aylward

113. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills to review the financial thresholds enforced by legislation governing the Student Universal Support Ireland, SUSI, scheme; if he will discuss the amendment of these with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Paschal Donohoe, in advance of budget 2017; to consider net income as opposed to gross income under household reckonable income eligibility criteria in advance of budget 2017; to exclude total earnings of any applicant classed as dependent from household reckonable income under current eligibility criteria in advance of budget 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28830/16]

Fuel Allowance Eligibility

Bobby Aylward

155. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 389 of 27 September 2016 if he will extend the eligibility criteria for fuel allowance to include disablement benefit; if he will discuss this with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in advance of budget 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28842/16]

Transport Infrastructure Ireland

Bobby Aylward

231. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to establish the position of a request (details supplied) to Transport Infrastructure Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28885/16]

Garda Compensation

Bobby Aylward

80. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda compensation claims under assessment in her Department from gardaí who have been previously or are stationed in County Carlow, or who were or are residing in County Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28101/16]

Garda Compensation

Bobby Aylward

81. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda compensation claims under assessment in her Department from gardaí who have been or are stationed in County Kilkenny, or who were or are residing in County Kilkenny; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28102/16]

School Transport Appeals

Bobby Aylward

165. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills the exact number of decisions overturned by the school transport appeals office in his Department for the academic years 2015-16 and 2016-17, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28154/16]

Student Grant Scheme Appeals

Bobby Aylward

115. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for the delay in responding to a query (details supplied) which was sent to his office six weeks ago; if he will provide a response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27862/16]

NAMA Portfolio

Bobby Aylward

121. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding the sale of the NAMA loans associated with the Whitfield Clinic in Waterford; the originating financial institutions associated with the Whitfield Clinic loans; the original financial institutions book value of the loans associated with the Whitfield Clinic; the NAMA sale valuation achieved for the loans associated with the Whitfield Clinic; the completion date of NAMA’s sale of the loans associated with the Whitfield Clinic; the name and beneficial owner of the successful purchaser of the NAMA loans associated with the Whitfield Clinic; details of other bids from interested parties to NAMA associated with NAMA’s sale of the loans associated the Whitfield Clinic in Waterford and their respective valuations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27663/16]

Rural Recreation Scheme

Bobby Aylward

171. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if Kilkenny County Council submitted an application for funding under the rural recreation scheme; if submitted, the reason for refusal of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27656/16]

Rural Recreation Policy

Bobby Aylward

172. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if Carlow County Council submitted an application for funding under the rural recreation scheme; if submitted, the reason for refusal of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27657/16]

Health Services Data

Bobby Aylward

177. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the HSE’s utilisation of the Whitfield Clinic in Waterford; the details of the health services purchased from the Whitfield Clinic by the HSE for the period 2012 to 2015; details of the health services contracted from the Whitfield Clinic by the HSE for the period 2012 to 2015; the rolling service level agreements between the HSE and the Whitfield Clinic for the period 2013 to 2015; the valuations and details of any current contracted service level agreements and of any proposed agreements; the details of the current beneficial owners of the Whitfield Clinic in Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27794/16]

School Accommodation

Bobby Aylward

285. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application for temporary accommodation in respect of a school (details supplied). [27197/16]

Fuel Allowance Eligibility

Bobby Aylward

389. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will consider amending legislation which governs the fuel allowance scheme to ensure that disablement benefit is included as a qualifying payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26822/16]

Garda Compensation

Bobby Aylward

188. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of a Garda compensation claim for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26357/16]

Garda Compensation

Bobby Aylward

189. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the exact number of Garda compensation claims currently under assessment within her Department in tabular form; the year in which each was received and the current stage of assessment of each; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26358/16]

School Accommodation Provision

Bobby Aylward

482. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the commitment given three months ago, in reply to Parliamentary Question Number 96 of 15 June 2016, to liaise with a school (details supplied) regarding sufficient resource rooms to accommodate its current resource teacher allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25917/16]