Parliamentary questions

Rural Development Plan

Joan Burton

75. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the way her Department proposes to oversee and monitor the implementation of actions to support the post office network arising out of the report of the post office renewal board and the post office hub working group as outlined in point 20 of the Action Plan for Rural Development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19862/17]

Town and Village Renewal Scheme

Tony McLoughlin

76. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the status of the town and village renewal scheme 2017; the type of projects that can be supported under this scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20388/17]

Foras na Gaeilge

Catherine Connolly

77. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an dtabharfaidh sí soiléiriú ar chinneadh Fhoras na Gaeilge bogadh as oifig laistigh d'fhoirgneamh Oifig na nOibreacha Poiblí, go háirithe ó thaobh ardú cíosa agus sarú an mheamraim airgeadais de; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [20430/17]

Community Development Initiatives

Thomas P. Broughan

78. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when she and the Minister for Finance will bring forward firm proposals for community banking following the recent public consultation on such banking models; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19872/17]

Cúrsaí Gaeilge

Éamon Ó Cuív

79. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cad iad na beartais bhreise atá i gceist aici a dhéanamh chun an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn de thoradh ar na drochthorthaí a bhí ann ó thaobh cúrsaí Gaeilge de sna torthaí daonáirimh a foilsíodh le gairid; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [19527/17]

Proposed Legislation

Bríd Smith

80. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she has received or sought a legal opinion on whether sections of the proposed Heritage Bill may contravene EU directives such as the birds and habitats directives, the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011, the European Union (Natural Habitats) Regulations SI 94/1997 or the Wildlife Amendment Act 2000; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20401/17]

National Parks and Wildlife Service

Clare Daly

81. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the deadline for the publication of all the reports of hare capture and hare returns for all hare coursing meetings for the 2016 and 2017 season. [20371/17]

Arts Funding

Fiona O'Loughlin

82. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the details of the pilot scheme to be run by her Department and the Department of Social Protection to establish a specific social protection payment for artists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20385/17]

CLÁR Programme

Joe Carey

83. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when she expects to announce successful applications under the 2017 CLÁR programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20309/17]

Heritage Sites

Richard Boyd Barrett

84. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she has had discussions with Coillte or South Dublin County Council regarding proposals they have for the heritage sites of Masseys Estate and the Hell Fire Club; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20373/17]

Built Heritage Investment Scheme

Joe Carey

85. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when she expects to announce successful applications under the built heritage investment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20310/17]

Job Creation Data

Michael Healy-Rae

86. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Taoiseach the number of jobs created since he took office to date in 2017, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20124/17]

Central Statistics Office Data

Róisín Shortall

87. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Taoiseach the planned publication date for Irish Life Tables 17 by the Central Statistics Office. [20229/17]

Census of Population Data

Eamon Ryan

88. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Taoiseach the reasons for the ethnic and cultural categorisations currently used in the census, in view of concerns that they do not reflect the diversity of modern Ireland. [20854/17]

Official Engagements

John Brady

89. Deputy John Brady asked the Taoiseach if he travelled abroad as part of the St. Patrick's Day celebrations; if so, the locations he travelled to; the duration of the trip; and the total cost of the trip including travel and accommodation in addition to other expenses incurred. [19139/17]

Capital Expenditure Programme

Dara Calleary

90. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Taoiseach the amount of funding provided under the capital plan for the information technology infrastructure across his Department; the amount spent to date; the progress to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19365/17]

Cabinet Committees

Mattie McGrath

91. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Taoiseach the name, composition and functions of all Cabinet Committees and when they meet. [19394/17]

Proposed Legislation

Willie Penrose

92. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will consider making an appropriate legislative amendment to enable the same maternity leave and paternity benefits to be made available for mothers that have babies through surrogacy (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19396/17]

Data Protection

Noel Rock

93. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will consider requiring data sensitivity training for companies which breach data protection laws; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19454/17]

Closed-Circuit Television Systems Provision

Seamus Healy

94. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the proposed introduction of a new community CCTV scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19556/17]

Visa Agreements

Noel Grealish

95. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the reason the European Union visa waiver for Ukrainians does not apply here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19931/17]

Garda Operations

Michael Healy-Rae

96. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will address concerns raised in regard to security at events (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20127/17]

Garda Vetting Applications

Catherine Murphy

97. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the procedures regarding the vetting of young persons in order to take up transition year work experience in situations that require Garda vetting and or clearance in order to take up a work placement (details supplied); her plans to address the outstanding anomaly for some persons that are in transition year that cannot take up placements that require Garda vetting due to the fact they are under 16 years of age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20505/17]

Garda Vetting Applications Data

Kathleen Funchion

98. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons on a list in 2017 to be cleared of Garda vetting for the purpose of working in early years services. [20639/17]

Valuation Office

Eamon Ryan

99. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she is satisfied with the time period within which Valuations Office Ireland responds to requests for the revaluation of properties, which now passes two years; her views on whether the office requires extra resources; if so, if she will provide extra resources; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20839/17]

Visa Applications

Eamon Ryan

100. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the requirement for Afghan nationals applying for Irish visas (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20853/17]

Equality Issues

Alan Kelly

101. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to introduce legislation which demands a mandatory statutory retirement age in the private sector; the expected timelines for enactment of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19148/17]

Garda Strength

Brendan Smith

102. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the substantial reduction in Garda numbers in the Cavan and Monaghan district since 2008; her plans to replace the 74 gardaí who have left employment in this division over the past number of years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19209/17]

Garda Strength

John Curran

103. Deputy John Curran asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí currently stationed at Clondalkin, Rathcoole, Rowlagh and Lucan Garda stations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19215/17]

Garda Strength

John Curran

104. Deputy John Curran asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of new Garda recruits assigned to Rathcoole, Clondalkin, Rowlagh and Lucan Garda stations in 2016 and to date in 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19216/17]

Garda Strength

John Curran

105. Deputy John Curran asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of community gardaí currently stationed at Clondalkin, Rathcoole, Rowlagh and Lucan Garda stations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19217/17]

Garda Strength

John Curran

106. Deputy John Curran asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda reservists currently stationed at Clondalkin, Rathcoole, Rowlagh and Lucan Garda stations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19218/17]

Garda Operations

John Curran

107. Deputy John Curran asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will consider including Rathcoole in Operation Thor in an effort to increase night-time patrols; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19219/17]

Courts Service Data

Thomas P. Broughan

108. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 53 of 16 February 2017 and further replies of 7 March 2017, 28 March 2017 and 6 April 2017, the number of drink driving offences that were listed in each court in each of the years 2015 and 2016 and to date in 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19220/17]

Departmental Schemes

Noel Grealish

109. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if there are schemes within her Department which provide funding for the LGBT community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19227/17]

Valuation Office

Barry Cowen

110. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated cost to date of the national revaluation programme; the estimated cost of Reval 2017; and the estimated cost of the entire national revaluation programme when completed. [19243/17]

Garda Station Closures

Jackie Cahill

111. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to reopen the Garda station in Bansha, County Tipperary; her plans for the building if it is not being reopened; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19249/17]

Garda Investigations

Catherine Connolly

112. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she is satisfied that An Garda Síochána is adequately equipped and specifically skilled to carry out investigations into complex cases of fraud and has sufficient resources in place to deal with these types of cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19253/17]

Garda Investigations

Catherine Connolly

113. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she is satisfied that in the course of investigations into cases of fraud further instances of fraud uncovered are also being thoroughly examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19254/17]

Direct Provision System

Mick Wallace

114. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans for self-catering facilities in other direct provision centres in view of the fact that a self-catering system at the Mosney direct provision centre has been provided; and the date before which the extension of these facilities will be completed. [19328/17]

Direct Provision System

Mick Wallace

115. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the details of the point allocation system used for awarding points to persons in the Mosney direct-provision centre to purchase items in the on-site supermarket (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19329/17]

Direct Provision System

Mick Wallace

116. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of points awarded to persons or groups of persons (details supplied) in the Mosney direct-provision centre to purchase items in the on-site supermarket per week. [19330/17]

Direct Provision System

Mick Wallace

117. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the body that sets the prices for supermarket items in the Mosney direct-provision centre (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19331/17]

Direct Provision Payments

Mick Wallace

118. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will consider increasing the residential income maintenance payment for persons living in direct provision here; and the reason for this decision. [19332/17]

Naturalisation Eligibility

Michael Healy-Rae

119. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if a person in receipt of farm assist can apply for citizenship; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19398/17]

Coroners Service

Michael Healy-Rae

120. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her views on a matter (details supplied) with regard to a person and their position; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19434/17]

Asylum Applications

Fiona O'Loughlin

121. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will review the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19439/17]

Garda Equipment

Clare Daly

122. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the person or body which checks the stocks of Garda breath-testing kits; the locations the unused kits are stored; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19476/17]

Parental Leave

Róisín Shortall

123. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 126 of 11 April 2017, if children born through surrogacy have their constitutional rights to have their well being and best interests promoted, as stipulated in Article 42A, violated by the absence of parental leave; her views on a recent case in Spain (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19487/17]

Family Reunification Applications

Éamon Ó Cuív

124. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the six-month delay in the processing of join-family visa applications; the reason for the delay in the processing of these applications; the plans in place to reduce the processing time of such applications; when these plans are likely to take effect; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19499/17]