Parliamentary questions

Single Payment Scheme Applications

Willie Penrose

418. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he will take to address the issues raised in correspondence regarding an application under the single payment scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; if this will be positively dealt with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20417/15]

Rural Development Programme

Willie Penrose

437. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if, in the context of the beef data genomics programme, he will delete the six-year rule as a condition of participation in the programme, and likewise, the draconian penalty whereby if a participant withdraws from the programme during the course of the six years, any payments already made will be recovered, which is fundamentally unreasonable and disproportionate, and will cause farmers not to participate at all; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20694/15]

Rural Development Programme

Willie Penrose

438. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if, in the context of the beef data genomics programme, he will adjust the requirement that 50% of the breeding female animals have to be four or five star by 2020, to a requirement to be three, four or five star animals, and ensure that calves weanlings replacements and cows are all included in the calculation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20697/15]

Rural Development Programme

Willie Penrose

440. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in the context of the new beef data genomics programme, if the requirement that farmers who purchase a bull must buy a four or five star bull, post January 2017, and have a four or five star bull by 2020, will be adjusted to take account of the costs that will arise for this sector, especially for small suckler farms, given that the object and focus of the programme should be to enable them to improve their viability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20699/15]

Rural Development Programme

Willie Penrose

444. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an explanation in respect of genomic testing where there is a requirement of 60%, which far exceeds the 15% which applied in 2014, and which was confirmed by the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation to be adequate for an effective suckler genomic programme, and where it is clear that testing non-breeding male animals or females that are destined for export is wasteful; if, in this context, this requirement of 60% will be reduced to 15% of the herd; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20704/15]

Beef Data and Genomics Programme

Willie Penrose

445. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will extend the carbon navigator deadline from October 2016, due to the significant pressure that would arise for farmers, their planners and advisers, by the implementation of the earlier timelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20706/15]

Rural Development Programme

Willie Penrose

446. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he will take to deal with the complexities and straitjacketing arising from the beef data genomics programme, which has made it over-complicated, and which imposes excessive costs on farmers; if he will make the necessary changes to the programme by addressing these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20709/15]

Rural Development Programme

Willie Penrose

447. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied that it is appropriate to limit the availability of the scheme based on the number of calved cows in 2014, which clearly delimits the ability to expand and increase suckler cow numbers in future years; if farmers could be permitted to apply on all of the suckler cows in their herd in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20710/15]

Energy Prices

Willie Penrose

986. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has examined the recent submission made in respect of the calculation and methodology employed in determining the public service obligation levy calculation (details supplied); if he will examine the alternative method submitted, which would acknowledge the distinction between domestic and small accounts with MIC less than 30 KVA, as is the existing practice, but which also allows the medium and large accounts be levied at the same fee rate of up to 29 KVA, and only per KVA on the balance that exceeds 30 KVA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19897/15]

Universal Social Charge Application

Willie Penrose

103. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance if the anomaly whereby pensioners with a pension in excess of €12,012 pay the universal social charge on all of their pension, which costs them up to €1,572, is likely to be addressed under the current pay review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19772/15]

Public Sector Pensions Levy

Willie Penrose

160. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if, in the course of the current pay review, he will ensure the pensions of retired public servants, which were reduced under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act in respect of such persons' pensions in excess of €12,000 per annum by between 8% and 28%, will have same restored as quickly as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19772/15]

Insolvency Payments Scheme Eligibility

Willie Penrose

60. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 358 of 15 July 2014, the progress that has been made in amending the Protection of Employees (Employees Insolvency) Acts 1984 to 2006, in order that they encompass the definition of deemed insolvency, in line with paragraph 4 of European Union Directive 2008/94/EC, and which would ensure employees have access to the insolvency payment scheme fund administered by her Department, and which recognises the unfair position that currently prevails for such employees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19112/15]

Legislative Measures

Willie Penrose

77. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when the Construction Contracts Act 2013 will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19111/15]

Immigration Status

Willie Penrose

144. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when an application for retention for a Stamp 4 European Union permission, which was been lodged in May 2012 by a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath will be dealt with; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19110/15]

Broadband Service Provision

Willie Penrose

200. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the steps he will take to ensure that appropriate high speed broadband is available to the residents of Ballynacargy in County Westmeath, and the surrounding areas; when progress will be made in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18732/15]

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Willie Penrose

229. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a social welfare appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath relating to a claim for invalidly pension; if same will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18202/15]

Nursing Staff Remuneration

Willie Penrose

326. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if the wage being paid to student nurses, even during fourth year, will be subject to review in the Low Pay Commission which has been established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18201/15]

Single Payment Scheme Payments

Willie Penrose

343. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will take steps to ensure that a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath is paid a single payment entitlement under the 2014 European Union single payment scheme; if same will be expedited in view of the fact that the person has submitted the appropriate proof of ownership of the lands that are the subject matter of the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18199/15]

Single Payment Scheme Payments

Willie Penrose

344. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ensure that appropriate payments are paid in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath under the 2014 single payment scheme as an early decision is vital in the context where, due to a dispute, this person is not able to make an application under the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme, which has to be submitted by 15 May 2015, while this payment situation is unresolved; if he will have same expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18200/15]

Mortgage Arrears Proposals

Willie Penrose

416. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if, in the context of applications for repossession orders at various courts, including county registrars sittings, she will take steps to put in place a solicitors panel, equivalent to the Legal Aid Solicitors Panel, which would ensure that each of the householders have appropriate legal advice and representation available prior to any such application proceeding and which would require all such applications to be adjourned and-or stayed in order to enable appropriate consultation with the mortgagors to proceed and that no steps in such proceedings be permitted until the proper legal representation is provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18650/15]

Patient Transport Provision

Willie Penrose

482. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to ensure that appropriate transport is provided to a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath who has to attend a hospital on a daily basis in order to obtain required treatment, or alternatively, if he will ensure adequate finance is made available, by way of an exceptional needs payment, as this person is in receipt of a widow's pension valued at €195.50 per week; in particular, if he will address the issues specified in correspondence furnished to his Department on 27 April 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18522/15]

Primary Medical Certificates Applications

Willie Penrose

510. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in County Longford was refused a primary medical certificate, which the person recently applied for, despite the person suffering from a very severe stroke, which has left the person completely paralysed on the right side, severely immobilised and in need of a modified car and electric wheelchair in order to get around; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18637/15]

Nursing Home Accommodation Provision

Willie Penrose

511. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the plans the Health Service Executive has for the St. Loman's Campus in Mullingar in County Westmeath, and in particular the front of the campus, which is the main building section thereof; if consideration will be given to converting and refurbishing same, in order to provide accommodation and long-stay beds for elderly persons from County Westmeath, in view of the fact that there are only 96 public beds for the elderly, available to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18640/15]

Health Services Staff Remuneration

Willie Penrose

119. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to address a Labour Court agreement in respect of €7.5 million owed to 400 social care workers in counties Galway and Roscommon in twilight premium time payments, which extends over an eight-year period and which is not being honoured due to the Health Service Executive pleading inability to pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17959/15]

HSE Staff Remuneration

Willie Penrose

134. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if he will liaise with the Health Service Executive to ascertain if a person (details supplied) in County Cavan is entitled to a pension in respect of that person's employment over a 14-year period with the old health board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17955/15]

Health Services Staff Remuneration

Willie Penrose

137. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take with the Health Service Executive to ensure that moneys in the sum of €7.5 million owed to social care workers in counties Galway and Roscommon in respect of twilight premium time payments, and which have been confirmed by the Labour Court as being properly due and owing over the past eight years, will be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17960/15]

Semi-State Bodies

Willie Penrose

211. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is aware of the position being adopted by the management of Bord na Móna, whereby it is attempting to impose unilateral changes to employees' conditions of employment; his views that if current talks with management at the Labour Relations Commission do not deliver a workable agreement, there would be an immediate ballot for industrial action across all sections of the company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17967/15]

Proposed Legislation

Willie Penrose

270. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will consider recommendations made by the study group on pre-nuptial agreements in 2007, which indicated that pre-nuptial agreements could be legalised through amendments to the Family Law Act 1995 and the Family Law (Divorce) Act 1996; if these could be introduced so as to give legal recognition to such pre-nuptial agreements, which specify that both parties would be in a position to enter such consensual agreement, by way of making full disclosure of their assets and by obtaining appropriate independent legal advice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17891/15]

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Willie Penrose

502. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will set out in detail the way the inheritance of a sum of money is dealt with when assessing the reckonable income of the parents of a dependant student in respect of the student grant scheme 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17734/15]

Disability Allowance Applications

Willie Penrose

42. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; if same will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17027/15]

Child Care Costs

Willie Penrose

141. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the financial assistance available from his Department for parents to deal with child care costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17170/15]

State Examinations Fees

Willie Penrose

121. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps she will take to reduce the unjustified fee being charged to students who repeat the leaving certificate at the rate of €301 for the re-sit, as opposed to €115 for the first sit, and whereby this exorbitant charge is serving as a barrier or obstacle to young persons who do not have the financial means to pay same; her plans to have this fee waived or reduced to €115; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16919/15]

Social Insurance

Willie Penrose

105. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will take steps to ensure that appropriate credits are provided for persons who had to leave the workforce due to the marriage bar in the early 1970s, as this is having an impact upon their ability to receive appropriate pensions at this point in time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16806/15]

Disability Allowance Applications

Willie Penrose

106. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; if same will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16832/15]

Pension Provisions

Willie Penrose

109. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will take steps to ensure that legislative changes are introduced in order to emphasise employer responsibility for pension schemes, and that it is the employer who should fund future pension protection schemes, as is the case in other European Union countries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16842/15]

Tax Code

Willie Penrose

136. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance if, in the context of correspondence with a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath, he will arrange to have the 2012 local property tax and household charge arrears deducted from this person's Department of Defence pension by way of instalments, and spread out on a monthly basis in the sum of €10, in view of the fact that this person has a significantly reduced pension and it amounts to significantly less than the supplementary welfare allowance rate, to which they would be entitled if they were not in receipt of same; and if the Minister will make a statement on the matter. [16804/15]

Pension Provisions

Willie Penrose

166. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will implement legislative changes which would establish the rights of pensioner organisations or associations to represent their members and to influence negotiations on the decision making process that directly affects such pensioners and their financial securities into the future; if he will take steps to implement further legislative changes in order to ensure the pensioners would have access to the industrial relations and arbitration machinery of the State in order to vindicate their rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16843/15]

Pension Provisions

Willie Penrose

197. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Defence if he will take steps to have a comprehensive investigation on behalf of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath, on whose behalf correspondence was furnished on 6 February 2015 to his Department; if, in that context, he will set up the appropriate interview with the applicant in order to explore fully and comprehensively the situation that has arisen for this person, and to ensure that this person now receives the appropriate and proper entitlements arising therefrom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16845/15]

Third Level Facilities

Willie Penrose

406. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps being taken to provide capital funding to Mary Immaculate College, County Limerick, to allow the necessary extension to the current library to proceed in order to facilitate the significant increase in students at this expanding college and in order to provide equal learning opportunities for courses that are available to other third level students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16808/15]

Pension Provisions

Willie Penrose

469. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in the context of the Energy (Miscellaneous) Provisions Act 1995, No. 35 of 1995, if he is aware that the Electricity Supply Board has failed to comply with its statutory obligations outlined under said Act, which in essence makes its defined benefit pension a typical balance-of-cost scheme and requires the Electricity Supply Board to be solely responsible for any deficit that may arise from time to time in said fund; if he is aware that said legislation was put in place in order to underpin that the guarantee in respect of the pension was part of a tripartite agreement concluded in 1996 between the then Government, the Electricity Supply Board management and the Electricity Supply Board group of trade unions; if he will take steps to ensure that same is honoured in full, particularly in the context of pensioners and deferred pensioners, who appear to be bearing the brunt of all losses visited upon them in respect of their pensions, by way of legislative interventions or otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16839/15]

State Pension (Non-Contributory) Appeals

Willie Penrose

60. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal in respect of a reduced state pension (non-contributory) in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16179/15]

Pension Provisions

Willie Penrose

281. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if a scheme of credits can be constructed for women who were mandatorily required to leave the workforce due to implementation of the marriage bar, and whereby their entitlement to pensions has been severely curtailed due to a provision which was grounded upon inequality, and if same will now be addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15667/15]

Financial Services Regulation

Willie Penrose

80. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance if consideration is being given to the introduction of legislation similar to that which has been introduced by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom whereby it is proposed to hold persons accountable for bank failure by means of a presumption of responsibility rule, which requires senior managers to demonstrate, where a firm is guilty of misconduct, that they took such steps as a person in their position could reasonably be expected to take to avoid it happening; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15085/15]

Tuberculosis Eradication Programme Administration

Willie Penrose

276. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware of the impact the recent announcement of an amendment to the tuberculosis eradication movement regulations will have upon general farm husbandry; if, in this context, he will indicate the reason he failed to have inclusive negotiations with the farming organisations to ensure the practical consequences of such regulations would be fully evaluated before being implemented; if same will be reviewed in this context; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14434/15]

World Heritage Sites

Willie Penrose

903. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of her Department's application to United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation, UNESCO, to have the Hill of Uisneach in Killare, Mullingar, County Westmeath, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14122/15]

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Willie Penrose

64. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite the hearing of an appeal relating to carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath, which hearing initially commenced and then adjourned, and is now waiting to be finalised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13792/15]

Student Visas Eligibility

Willie Penrose

121. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the two dependent children of a person who is studying to PhD level in Ireland for a scholarship in Ecuador, that person’s home country, may be permitted to enter third level education when they complete their secondary education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13794/15]

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Willie Penrose

242. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the steps she will take to expedite an application for an appeal to the chief appeals office by a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath in respect of the refusal of that person's application for an invalidity pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13280/15]

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Willie Penrose

251. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a social welfare appeal regarding a carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13413/15]

Proposed Legislation

Willie Penrose

408. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the proposed family leave Bill will be published; if it will deal with the issue of maternity leave and premature births where babies have to be detained in hospital in intensive care; if she will specify that maternity leave should not commence as a result of a premature birth, that is, before 35 weeks, and permit this period to be treated as care leave while the child or children are in hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13279/15]

Vaccination Programme

Willie Penrose

454. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the introduction of the meningitis B vaccine into the primary childhood immunisation schedule as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12866/15]

Hospital Appointments Status

Willie Penrose

537. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath is given an appointment for a magnetic resonance imaging, MRI, scan at Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore in County Offaly, as a matter of urgency. [13414/15]

Tax Exemptions

Willie Penrose

66. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance if an exemption from Deposit Interest Retention Tax is available when a person reaches 65 years of age; the level of eligibility for exemption when the person is married; the stipulations and conditions attached to the said exemption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12596/15]

Household Charge Administration

Willie Penrose

292. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance if he will ensure that a demand made in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath regarding the household charge in the sum of €200 is discontinued, in view of the fact that this person was not the owner of the house at the time charge arose in January 2012 to December 2012 period, that the person only took up residence in April 2014 and has already discharged any liability in respect of local property tax for 2015 and since it is clear that this charge has nothing at all to do with that person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12137/15]

Hospital Appointments Status

Willie Penrose

553. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath who was initially seen approximately two and a half years ago for cataract problems in both eyes and who was recently seen in October 2014, will be admitted for the surgical procedure required, especially for the right eye, as this person is also severely incapacitated from a mobility perspective; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11057/15]

Schools Establishment

Willie Penrose

834. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of the M4 study in relation to the provision of secondary schools, the steps she will take to advance the conclusion of the study that a secondary school should be provided in the Kinnegad area of County Westmeath due to the continuing expansion of the population in Westmeath's third largest town; if a site has already been provided; if she will include such a school in the forthcoming five year plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12136/15]

Mortgage to Rent Scheme Administration

Willie Penrose

907. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to restructure and recast the mortgage-to-rent scheme; if he will focus specifically upon increasing the eligibility limits by at least 30%, as they have not been adjusted since 2011, as well as permitting persons with low incomes but with some positive equity in their homesteads to participate in any such revised scheme with particular emphasis on local authorities as the vehicle for implementing an enhanced mortgage-to-rent scheme to help alleviate the ever-increasing mortgage crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11887/15]

Rent Supplement Scheme Eligibility

Willie Penrose

78. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if a person who is eligible to receive rent supplement will obtain same in respect of accommodation which that person can rent from a sibling; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10991/15]

Tenant Purchase Scheme Eligibility

Willie Penrose

138. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will ensure an appropriate loan scheme is available for persons in receipt of social welfare payments such as invalidity payment to enable them to purchase their local authority house under the new tenant purchase scheme that is being proposed whereby these tenants are currently paying more in rent than they would on a mortgage on a monthly basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10658/15]

Competition and Consumer Protection Commission

Willie Penrose

248. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he is satisfied with the operation of proposals to end unfair practices in the retail sector to date; if he has studied the proposals by the European Union Commissioner for Agriculture to impose fines of up to 1% of retail turnover for unfair practices which impact upon producers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10387/15]

Hospital Appointments Delays

Willie Penrose

226. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the waiting time for magnetic resonance imaging, MRI, scans at the Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore, County Offaly; if there are provisions for emergency scans to take place, particularly for public patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9851/15]

Tax Credits

Willie Penrose

210. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance the reason a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath has had his tax credit reduced, so that he is actually paying more tax in 2015 than he did in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9007/15]

Rights of Way Provision

Willie Penrose

576. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position whereby a lake or river of national importance is surrounded or bordered by land in private ownership and in that context, whether the right of access by members of the general public to the lakeshore can be restricted or circumscribed by the landowners concerned and the extent to which this will be enforced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9277/15]

Pension Levy

Willie Penrose

68. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance his plans, in terms of the pension levy, which has significantly impacted upon pensions of retired workers who are on fixed incomes; if the said levy will be abolished in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8648/15]

Departmental Correspondence

Willie Penrose

197. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that correspondence, in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath, is dealt with, as this person has been in contact with his Department on a number of occasions and the issues raised have never been satisfactorily rectified by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8698/15]

EU Funding

Willie Penrose

102. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he will take to ensure that the funding for mushroom producer groups for the years 2015 to 2017, inclusive, which is payable from the European Union, is immediately made available to mushroom producers, particularly in the context of the recent submission made on their behalf by the Irish Farmers Association; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7402/15]

Services for People with Disabilities

Willie Penrose

189. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the reason the Health Service Executive continued to reduce funding to an organisation (details supplied) which provides high-quality home and social care services to persons with disabilities, since the early 1970s; if additional funding will be provided to enable these services to continue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7401/15]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Willie Penrose

205. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to have a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath admitted to the Eye and Ear Hospital, Dublin 2, to have a necessary procedure carried out, as they are suffering significant difficulties in respect of their ongoing medical complaint; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6574/15]

Tax Reliefs Costs

Willie Penrose

55. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance the amount of tax relief on the cost of employing a carer that costs the State for each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6343/15]

Hospital Consultant Recruitment

Willie Penrose

134. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health his plans to appoint a second palliative care consultant with supporting non-consultant hospital doctors for the midlands region, and the recruitment of palliative care nurse specialists in the acute hospitals in the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6325/15]

Palliative Care Facilities

Willie Penrose

135. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to ensure that the objective of the 2001 report of the National Advisory Committee on Palliative Care has been implemented in the midlands to date; whereby the midlands was designated as being in line for an inpatient unit-hospice in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6328/15]

State Examinations

Willie Penrose

163. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will ensure that priority will be provided, when appointing examination supervisors for the State examinations, to recently qualified teachers, who are in non-permanent or short-hours teaching contracts, or who depend mainly on substitute work; if she will address the correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6326/15]

Broadband Service Provision

Willie Penrose

182. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when the tender for the contract to provide fibre broadband to 700,000 rural homes and businesses, with a minimum speed of 30 megabits per second, irrespective of the location of the premises will be awarded; the number of companies that have tendered for this contract, together with their names; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6316/15]

Jobseeker's Allowance Appeals

Willie Penrose

183. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a social welfare appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath in relation to the refusal of their application for jobseeker's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5700/15]

School Accommodation

Willie Penrose

508. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will approve an application for funding for a school (details supplied) in County Westmeath for additional accommodation under phase 2, in order to facilitate the significant numbers currently enrolling on post-leaving certificate courses, and the increased enrolments for all courses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5682/15]

Single Payment Scheme Eligibility

Willie Penrose

175. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath who had to cease farming due to medical circumstances in 2013 and is now in a position to resume farming in 2014 will be granted appropriate single farm entitlements under the force majeure conditions, which apply to the new scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5326/15]

Tax Reliefs Costs

Willie Penrose

283. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance the amount the child care services tax relief cost the State for each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4997/15]

Hospital Staff Recruitment

Willie Penrose

442. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to instruct the Health Service Executive to commence the recruitment of at least ten permanent staff nurses at the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar, County Westmeath, which have been sought and committed to since October 2014; if the interviews will be conducted forthwith in respect of the said necessary posts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4625/15]

Inland Waterways Development

Willie Penrose

652. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in view of the proposed Waterways Ireland canal by-laws, when she will make a final decision on the proposed new by-laws; if she will ensure that such proposals are not overly restrictive and punitive for users of the waterways and that user concerns and their submissions are taken cognisance of in her final decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4481/15]

Respite Care Grant Eligibility

Willie Penrose

47. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide the criteria for entitlement to respite care grant persons who are not in receipt of carer’s allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4245/15]

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Willie Penrose

164. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills the financial assistance that will be available in respect of a PAYE earner who earns approximately €60,000 gross, which would be substantially less on a net basis when tax and universal social charge are deducted therefrom, and who has three children attending third level institutions in 2015-2016 at the same time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4219/15]

Student Grant Scheme Applications

Willie Penrose

112. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will take steps to have an application for a higher education grant in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath at Galway Mayo Institute of Technology finalised, as all the additional information required has been furnished; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3975/15]

Tuberculosis Eradication Programme Payments

Willie Penrose

275. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to review the compensation payment made to farmers who have tuberculosis reactors in their herds as same has remained unaltered for a number of years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3845/15]

HSE Correspondence

Willie Penrose

414. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health his plans to have correspondence which has been furnished to the Health Service Executive in relation to a personnel matter in respect of a person (details supplied) and which has not been addressed to date immediately replied to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3920/15]

Medical Card Applications

Willie Penrose

140. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath has not received a medical card and has furnished additional information requested; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3105/15]

Local Authority Services

Willie Penrose

199. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on letting local authorities provide reconstruction or house improvement loans to applicants who satisfy the appropriate criteria to obtain same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3104/15]

Rural Environment Protection Scheme Payments

Willie Penrose

115. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he will take to ensure that a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath received a REPS payment for 2014 which had been subject to a review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2120/15]

Garda Deployment

Willie Penrose

156. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of members of An Garda Síochána in County Longford, the number that is allocated to Longford town, Granard, Edgeworthstown, Ballymahon and Lanesboro; her plans to increase the number of gardaí in County Longford to deal with issues that have been highlighted by the Longford Joint Policing Committee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2117/15]

Tenant Purchase Scheme Administration

Willie Penrose

927. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government when the new tenant purchase scheme which was announced will become operational; the terms and conditions thereof; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1485/15]

Social Welfare Appeals Status

Willie Penrose

47. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a social welfare appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath regarding a claim for carer's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49104/14]

Property Valuations

Willie Penrose

60. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the steps being taken to expedite the process of property valuations where large new businesses, which should be subject to immediate rating but which will not have to pay rates as there is no facility to retrospectively collect such rates in the absence of the immediate valuation process being carried out, are opening; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48524/14]

IDA Site Visits

Willie Penrose

67. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of Industrial Development Agency Ireland-sponsored visits by entrepreneurs and other companies to counties Westmeath and Longford to date in 2014; the attempts made by his Department and IDA Ireland to secure industry for the large IDA site at Mailinstown, Mullingar, County Westmeath; the success rate that has been scheduled in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48653/14]

Medical Card Applications

Willie Penrose

170. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to have a general practitioner visit card issued by the Health Service Executive in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath who has supplied the requested information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48637/14]

Jobseeker's Allowance Appeals

Willie Penrose

178. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a social welfare appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath in relation to the refusal of their application for jobseeker's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48414/14]

Tax Rebates

Willie Penrose

225. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance the steps he will take to ensure that a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath is reimbursed a property tax deduction, which was made by the Revenue Commissioners, in respect of a property tax to which they were not liable, as they were only a tenant and not the owner of the dwelling house which they vacated approximately four years ago and now live in other rented accommodation; if this reimbursement will be made without delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48213/14]

Proposed Legislation

Willie Penrose

375. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to introduce periodic payment orders to deal with catastrophic personal injury cases; if the legislation to enable same will be brought forward in 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48162/14]

Alcohol Pricing

Willie Penrose

490. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if progress has been made with the proposal to introduce a minimum unit pricing policy for alcohol, which has been recommended for a considerable period, as an important policy instrument in fighting alcohol harm; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48196/14]

Hospital Appointments Administration

Willie Penrose

136. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if he will take steps to expedite a neurological procedure in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47468/14]

Citizenship Applications

Willie Penrose

365. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a person who was born in South Africa and who wishes to come here to work as a professional may apply for an Irish passport on the basis of an Irish great grandparent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47160/14]

Medical Card Eligibility

Willie Penrose

96. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath was refused a medical card for their use and benefit, when same was purely on medical grounds in relation to an ongoing medical condition and other significant issues which have been set out in a medical report which was furnished; if same will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46500/14]