Parliamentary questions

Visa Applications

Bríd Smith

285. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the procedure including documents required for the issuance of a visa to the Iranian spouse of an Irish citizen. [42118/19]

Cancer Screening Programmes

Bríd Smith

168. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if the result of the review of the slides of 221 women affected by the CervicalCheck issue will change his plans to continue with a policy of contracting out CervicalCheck screening programmes to private companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41388/19]

Electricity Generation

Bríd Smith

226. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the inclusion of the Shannon LNG project on the projects of common interest list compiled in Brussels on 4 October 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41393/19]

Dublin Bus

Bríd Smith

239. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 587 and 588 of 17 September 2019, if the exact reason will be itemised for the penalty applied that is for failure to operate due to driver unavailability, bus breakdown or curtailment of late running services; the amount by subcategory involved in each period 2014 to 2019. [41471/19]

Cross-Border Projects

Bríd Smith

135. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if funding for a project listed on the PCI list of the EU is discretionary; if not, if the State is obliged to provide funding having nominated the project for PCI status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41327/19]

Home Tuition Scheme Provision

Bríd Smith

69. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to delays in granting home tuition supports; the reason home tuition hours have not been sanctioned; when this issue will be addressed; and his plans to ensure such delays do not recur in the future. [40552/19]

Home Tuition Scheme Provision

Bríd Smith

70. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills the supports he plans to put in place for teachers and parents of children affected by recent delays in the sanctioning of home tuition hours; and his plans in this area for the coming period. [40553/19]

Home Tuition Scheme

Bríd Smith

71. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of hours and amount of funding allocated for home tuition hours for children with ASD and others in each of the years 2010 to 2018 and to date in 2019, in tabular form. [40554/19]

School Costs

Bríd Smith

76. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills the expected costs that accrue to schools for using external accountants or auditors; and if he has allocated additional funding to schools to ensure compliance with the provision of the Education Act 1998 that all accounts of schools are properly audit or certified. [40625/19]

Schools Data

Bríd Smith

77. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools which have failed to submit their accounts to the FSSU in line with the provision of section 18 of the Education Act 1998; if alternative arrangements have been considered for the certification of school accounts in view of the costs associated with hiring external auditors or accountants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40626/19]

Assisted Human Reproduction Services Provision

Bríd Smith

202. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if additional funding to help subsidise IVF treatment for couples will be provided in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40585/19]

Assisted Human Reproduction Services Provision

Bríd Smith

203. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the reason promised funding to help subsidise IVF treatment has not been delivered to date in 2019; his plans to provide enhanced care and aid to persons seeking the treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40586/19]

Cancer Screening Programmes

Bríd Smith

255. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the laboratories from which the 221 cases of misdiagnosed smears under Cervical Check came, by laboratory and by year in tabular form. [40777/19]

Public Transport

Bríd Smith

80. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he supports a continued policy of tendering out further routes operated by Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39897/19]

Bus Services

Bríd Smith

92. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to ensure that bus routes operated by private companies and licensed by the NTA but which are not in receipt of PSO funding will be accessible to passengers with mobility issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39898/19]

Public Sector Pensions

Bríd Smith

70. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will meet with representatives of retired public and semi-State workers (details supplied) to discuss their grievances about reductions and changes to their pension schemes in previous years which have not been fully restored ahead of the upcoming budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39615/19]

Community Employment Schemes Supervisors

Bríd Smith

88. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the cost of honouring the Labour Court finding on the community employment scheme supervisors pension costs; if the ongoing issue on financing the pension rights of these workers will be resolved in the upcoming budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39614/19]

School Curriculum

Bríd Smith

224. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills the agencies that have been permitted to provide sex education in schools; and the amount each agency has received for its services in each of the past five years. [39793/19]

Health Services Expenditure

Bríd Smith

407. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the amount spent to date on providing free contraceptives as promised during the referendum on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution; the quantity and type of contraceptive purchased for a free contraceptive scheme; and the location in which persons can access these free contraceptives. [39791/19]

Animal Welfare

Bríd Smith

430. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to regulate the provision of horse-drawn carriages for hire in Dublin in view of concerns for animal welfare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39726/19]

Exploration Licences Data

Bríd Smith

475. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of licences for oil and gas exploration issued in each of the past five years; if oil and gas exploration will be phased out in the Irish and Celtic Sea; if so, the date from which; and if no further oil exploration licenses will be available in the Atlantic sea. [39792/19]

Road Traffic Legislation

Bríd Smith

520. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the NTA plans to regulate the provision of horse-drawn carriages for hire in the Dublin city area. [39719/19]

Road Traffic Legislation

Bríd Smith

521. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will conduct a review of the regulation governing the use of horse-drawn carriages for hire in the Dublin city area and specifically the monitoring of the welfare of animals used and the qualifications of those providing the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39720/19]

Public Services Card Data

Bríd Smith

605. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the way in which and the location the data contained on the public services card is stored; the companies used to store the data; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39819/19]

Tax Reliefs Eligibility

Bríd Smith

16. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance if the condition for receiving section 481 tax relief is being met by the producer companies in the film industry that apply for and receive the relief; and the way in which this is monitored by his Department. [39094/19]

Mortgage Interest Rates

Bríd Smith

41. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance his plans to take action or enact legislation that will bring rates of Irish banks into line with the European average rates for mortgages in view of the fact the current ECB interest rate for deposit facility is 0.5% and its marginal interest rate is 0.25%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39093/19]

JobPath Programme

Bríd Smith

25. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if contracts for the provision of the JobPath programme will be renewed; and when a decision on the matter will be made. [38806/19]

JobPath Implementation

Bríd Smith

41. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason the JobPath provider Seetec is issuing notices to jobseekers detailing its policy on tackling radicalism; if jobseekers have been referred to her Department or An Garda Síochána in respect of same; the number of claimants that have been sanctioned or interviewed on foot of the concerns of Seetec relating to potential radicalisation risks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38794/19]

Energy Policy

Bríd Smith

140. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his policy regarding the upcoming EU meeting to ratify the fourth list of projects of common interests; his plans to support the building of LNGs here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38926/19]

Industrial Relations

Bríd Smith

17. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if an amendment to the Industrial Relations Act 1990 will be supported in order to allow Defence Forces personnel the right to be represented by a representative organisation of their choice and have full access to the industrial relations machinery of the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38532/19]

Industrial Relations

Bríd Smith

20. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will meet with representatives of the Defence Forces, specifically an organisation (details supplied), to discuss its campaign for representative rights in view of ongoing concerns on issues of pay, conditions and retention in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38533/19]

Industrial Relations

Bríd Smith

30. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to deal with the recruitment and retention crisis in the Defence Forces; his views on whether granting the right to representation including the right of bodies (details supplied) to join an organisation and have access to the industrial relations machinery of the State could help in dealing with the current crisis in the forces in terms of retention of members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38534/19]

Industrial Relations

Bríd Smith

36. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on whether the conciliation and arbitration scheme to address issues regarding the pay and conditions of Defence Forces personnel does not address or adequately deal with concerns of members of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38531/19]

Military Medals

Bríd Smith

37. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the medals being sought by the veterans and families of the siege of Jadotville will be awarded. [38359/19]

Cancer Screening Programmes

Bríd Smith

322. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 1190, 1191 and 1197 of 6 September 2019, if a direct response will issue on the specific question regarding a patient having to fund an independent review of her smears if she has been diagnosed with cervical cancer. [38526/19]

Cancer Screening Programmes

Bríd Smith

323. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 1190, 1191 and 1197 of 6 September 2019, if a response will issue on whether the financial burden on patients with cervical cancer will be removed; and if the HSE will fund an independent review of smears if requested. [38527/19]

Public Services Card Data

Bríd Smith

526. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the amount spent on the roll-out and development of the public services card before and since October 2017 to date when the report by the Data Protection Commission into the card was initiated. [38607/19]

Public Services Card Data

Bríd Smith

527. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of public services cards issued before and since October 2017 to date when the report by the Data Protection Commission into the card was initiated [38608/19]

Public Services Card Data

Bríd Smith

528. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the amount spent on the roll-out and development of the public services card in the period before and since July 2018 to date. [38609/19]

Public Services Card Data

Bríd Smith

529. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of public services cards issued before and since July 2018 to date. [38610/19]

Public Services Card

Bríd Smith

530. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a report is forthcoming from the Data Protection Commission regarding biometric data; and if so, when it will be published. [38611/19]

Military Medals

Bríd Smith

43. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the medals that are being sought by the veterans and families of the siege of Jadotville will be awarded. [37993/19]

Middle East Peace Process

Bríd Smith

45. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps he will take in the event that Israel annexes sections of the West Bank as announced recently by the Israeli Prime Minister; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37467/19]

Climate Change Policy

Bríd Smith

60. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the Government is still intent on supporting the Mercosur trade deal in view of the devastation of the fires in the Amazon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37468/19]

Fuel Poverty

Bríd Smith

531. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has or is conducting a review into fuel poverty in accordance with the priority recommendation on page 48 (details supplied) of the 2019 report of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Climate Action. [37063/19]

Fuel Poverty

Bríd Smith

532. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the Department which is undertaking a review into fuel poverty in accordance with the priority recommendation on page 48 (details supplied) of the 2019 report of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Climate Action; the groups or stakeholders the review has or is consulting; and when the review will be completed and circulated to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas. [37064/19]

Road Traffic Legislation

Bríd Smith

567. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the agency responsible for the issuing of licences for the operation of horse-drawn carriages and enforcement of same in Dublin city under current legislation, in view of the fact that the Dublin Carriage Act 1853, the Dublin Amended Carriage Act 1854, the Dublin Amended Carriage Act 1855 and SI No. 198 of 1946 - Dublin Carriage Bye-Laws 1946 still appear to be in force; and when the legal lacuna will be resolved. [37056/19]

Bus Services

Bríd Smith

584. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the fines imposed by the NTA on a company (details supplied); and the reason for the fines. [37510/19]

Bus Services

Bríd Smith

585. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of scheduled journeys, that is departures, that a company (details supplied) failed to operate on routes since it took over operation of the routes. [37511/19]

Bus Services

Bríd Smith

586. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason for the failure of a company (details supplied) to operate scheduled departures on all of its Dublin routes; and the number of times this failure was explained by not having driving staff available to operate the route affected. [37512/19]

Dublin Bus

Bríd Smith

587. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the fines imposed on Dublin Bus over the past five years for failure to operate scheduled services. [37513/19]

Dublin Bus

Bríd Smith

588. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason for the failure to operate scheduled services that resulted in fines imposed on Dublin Bus. [37514/19]

Free Travel Scheme Data

Bríd Smith

618. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the funding provided for the free travel scheme from 2008 to date. [36996/19]

Free Travel Scheme Data

Bríd Smith

619. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the way in which the free travel scheme fund has been distributed to specific transport companies from 2008 to date by company. [36998/19]

Cancer Screening Programmes

Bríd Smith

1190. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if persons who are newly diagnosed with cervical cancer must pay for their own independent reviews, especially in circumstances in which all previous smears were normal before the cancer diagnosis. [36171/19]

Cancer Screening Programmes

Bríd Smith

1191. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the reason patients who were diagnosed or will be diagnosed in the coming months as having cervical cancer will not be able to avail of the HSE cancer audit to review their smears in order to avoid a financial burden on cancer patients who wish to have their smears reviewed. [36172/19]

Cancer Screening Programmes

Bríd Smith

1197. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if women diagnosed with cervical cancer that were not included in the previous review process can request a review of their screening history; if so, if the HSE will fund and support such a review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36214/19]

Legislative Measures

Bríd Smith

286. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the FEMPI legislation has been completely revoked; if the declaration of a financial emergency has now ended; if he will lay further reports before the Houses of the Oireachtas on the issue of a financial emergency that underpinned the previous FEMPI legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32195/19]

Community Employment Schemes Supervisors

Bríd Smith

287. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to meet with representatives of affected workers to discuss the issue relating to the pension entitlements of community supervisors; if he will make provisions in budget 2020 to fund the Labour Court judgment on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32196/19]

Sexual Offences Data

Bríd Smith

682. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of sex workers arrested and charged with offences relating to prostitution and or running brothels since the introduction of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017. [32190/19]

Sexual Offences Data

Bríd Smith

683. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the numbers of sex workers charged with offences such as prostitution, brothel running and so on in each of the years 2010 to 2018 and to date in 2019. [32191/19]

Sexual Offences Data

Bríd Smith

684. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of sex workers charged with offences relating to the purchase of sex since 2010 to date in 2019. [32192/19]

Legislative Reviews

Bríd Smith

685. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a review of the Criminal Law (Sex Offences) Act 2017 and its impact on sex workers since its introduction will be undertaken; his plans for such a review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32193/19]

Witness Protection Programme

Bríd Smith

686. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 26 of 16 May 2019; if efforts have been made to meet with the witness or ensure the relevant authorities make contact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32194/19]

Protected Disclosures

Bríd Smith

1221. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a protected disclosure submitted to him in respect of a hospice (details supplied); the actions taken in respect of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32162/19]

HSE Staff

Bríd Smith

1222. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a recent survey that suggested large numbers of employees in the HSE suffer from bullying; his plans to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32163/19]

Protected Disclosures Data

Bríd Smith

1223. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of protected disclosures submitted to his Department by year since 2010; the number accepted; and the number from employees in the HSE or other health-related services. [32164/19]

Protected Disclosures

Bríd Smith

1224. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will commission an independent inquiry into the manner in which a hospice (details supplied) has disciplined employees that had previously submitted protected disclosures to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32165/19]

Health Services Funding

Bríd Smith

1226. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the budget allocated for fundraising in a hospice (details supplied); his views on same; the amounts paid to staff involved in fundraising activity; if this funding is provided by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32199/19]

National Cervical Screening Programme Data

Bríd Smith

1227. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health further to recent comments he made in Dáil Éireann and at committee hearings, when information previously requested on the CervicalCheck crisis and the false negative slides currently under review, that is, a breakdown of the number of false negative slides per laboratory and the locations of the laboratories, will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32200/19]

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Bríd Smith

2057. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if Teagasc considered additional scenarios to those relayed in the preparations of its 2018 report, An Analysis of Abatement Potential of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Irish Agriculture 2021–2030; the nature of each of the scenarios considered in the event that additional scenarios were considered; if the scenarios considered the impact of a reduction in the dairy herd in favour of greater agricultural diversification; and if Teagasc established the impact that other scenarios considered would have on overall agricultural emissions. [32130/19]

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Bríd Smith

2058. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the 2018 Teagasc report, An Analysis of Abatement Potential of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Irish Agriculture 2021–2030, was peer reviewed or subjected to independent external review; if so, if the raised concerns or reservations regarding the scenarios considered or concerns regarding the ability of the abatement measures proposed, that is, agricultural mitigation measures, land use mitigation measures and energy mitigation measures to deliver the reduction in the greenhouse gas emissions envisaged; the concerns raised in the peer or external independent review process of the report; if concerns were raised regarding the impact of further intensification of the dairy sector on overall agricultural emissions in the peer or external independent review process of the report; the consideration Teagasc gave to the concerns raised; if Deputies will have sight of the peer or independent external reviews; and if Deputies will have sight of the deliberations of Teagasc regarding concerns, factors or issues raised in the peer reviews. [32131/19]

Mining Industry

Bríd Smith

2208. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on proposed gold mining in the Sperrin mountain region in Northern Ireland and its possible environmental impacts here; if he will raise the issue with the Northern Ireland authorities; and if he will raise the issue in a discussion with the relevant north-south intergovernmental bodies. [32220/19]

Departmental Meetings

Bríd Smith

2209. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the meetings or discussions he or his officials have had with groups (details supplied) and other groups or bodies in relation to the Petroleum and Other Minerals Developments (Amendment) (Climate Emergency Measures) Bill 2018 since January 2018. [32221/19]

Fuel Poverty

Bríd Smith

2211. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the progress made with a national survey of fuel poverty and those in need of supports as agreed by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Climate Action. [32234/19]

Petroleum and Gas Exploration

Bríd Smith

2212. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the petroleum licence applications currently under consideration by his Department. [32235/19]

Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan

Bríd Smith

2213. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to legislate for changes in the planning regulations to provide for renewable energy projects offshore; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32236/19]

Transport Policy

Bríd Smith

2351. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position on the use of horse-drawn carriages for hire in Dublin city; the regulations that govern this activity; his plans for new regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32077/19]

Taxi Regulations

Bríd Smith

2352. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention or the attention of the NTA has been drawn to the proposals to operate a taxi sharing service in the taxi industry which utilises mobile applications and shared ridership; if such a proposal has been examined by his Department or the NTA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32078/19]

Taxi Licences

Bríd Smith

2353. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the plans of the NTA or plans submitted to it to licence a service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32079/19]

Córas Iompair Éireann

Bríd Smith

2354. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the breakdown of funding for all three CIÉ companies since 2008 to date on the basis of PSO funding for non-commercial services, capital funding and other funding, whether capital or current. [32080/19]

Transport Infrastructure Provision

Bríd Smith

2371. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of trees earmarked for removal under the proposed BusConnects plan in the Dublin area. [32174/19]

Transport Infrastructure Provision

Bríd Smith

2372. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an environmental impact assessment will be commissioned into the proposed removal of trees in Dublin city as a result of the BusConnects scheme; and if such assessment will examine the impact on air quality. [32175/19]

Childcare Services

Bríd Smith

2537. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of parents on the community childcare subvention, CCS, scheme and the childcare education and training scheme, CETS, who will be affected negatively by the national childcare scheme. [32202/19]

Childcare Services

Bríd Smith

2538. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to ensure that the national childcare scheme will not result in new entrants who would qualify under the community childcare subvention, CCS, scheme and the childcare education and training scheme, CETS, paying more than existing users. [32203/19]

Childcare Costs

Bríd Smith

2539. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to stop childcare providers increasing their fees under the national childcare scheme; and if a cap will be put on prices. [32204/19]

Disability Allowance Data

Bríd Smith

2674. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of staff employed in the special investigation unit; the staffing numbers in the unit since 2010; and the budget directed to the unit in each of the years since 2010. [31745/19]

Disability Allowance Data

Bríd Smith

2675. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the resources in the special investigation unit; and the resources allocated to each category of payment. [31746/19]

Departmental Staff Data

Bríd Smith

2676. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of staff employed as medical officers; and the budget directed to medical assessments for payments requiring a medical assessment. [31747/19]

Departmental Staff Data

Bríd Smith

2677. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of staff employed in the appeals section; the staffing numbers in the section since 2010; and the budget directed to appeals. [31748/19]

Social Welfare Payments Administration

Bríd Smith

2685. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will address matters (details supplied) regarding the transfer of payments from post offices. [31843/19]

Offshore Exploration Licences

Bríd Smith

749. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the details or copies of all annual reports since 2010 sent to his Department by holders of a lease undertaking in respect of their efforts to establish commerciality of the relevant discovery. [30839/19]

Exploration Licences

Bríd Smith

750. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 179 of 20 June 2019, if the application for a lease undertaken for a licence (details supplied) has been with his Department since October 2012; and the reason for the delay in deciding on this application. [30840/19]

Illegal Dumping

Bríd Smith

759. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the progress or outcome of the tier 2 site investigation into an illegal dump (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31001/19]

Illegal Dumping

Bríd Smith

760. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the cost to date of funding under the landfill remediation program for a site (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if the funding has conditions attached to it. [31002/19]

Illegal Dumping

Bríd Smith

761. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will instruct or advise the EPA to conduct further investigations into a site (details supplied) including water and soil testing to ascertain if there is toxic leakage into the surrounding water courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31003/19]

Housing Assistance Payment Administration

Bríd Smith

940. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the Department responsible for the administration of the way in which HAP is means tested and calculated; and the legislation used in this regard. [30487/19]

Visa Applications

Bríd Smith

226. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of applications since 1 January 2016 for visas pursuant to the policy document on non-EEA family reunification made by persons here granted international protection; the number of visa applications granted to family members of such sponsors; if the grant was at first instance or on appeal; the number of the sponsors that did not meet the financial criteria in the policy document; and the number of the sponsors which were under 18 years of age (details supplied) [30448/19]

HSE Staff Recruitment

Bríd Smith

252. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the private companies involved with the national recruitment service of the HSE. [30169/19]

HSE Staff Recruitment

Bríd Smith

253. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if the national recruitment service of the HSE has given contracts to private companies; and if so, the name and expenditure on same in each of the past five years. [30170/19]