Parliamentary questions

Land Parcel Identification System

Seán Kyne

151. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a decision on an appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Galway under the land parcel identification system will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1664/16]

Agriculture Scheme Payments

Seán Kyne

152. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a payment has issued to a person (details supplied), where the delay relates to an overclaim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1667/16]

Land Issues

Seán Kyne

153. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the transfer of entitlement process has been completed for a person (details supplied), and if not, when it will be completed and when payment will issue. [1668/16]

Employment Support Services

Seán Kyne

7. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection to report on the operation of Intreo by her Department since its introduction and the level of engagement between her Department, other Departments and State agencies in terms of ensuring availability of access to appropriate training and educational courses for jobseekers, particularly in the sectors for which there is a significant demand; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1208/16]

JobPath Implementation

Seán Kyne

8. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection to report on the operation of the JobPath scheme, including the number of participants in counties Galway and Mayo and nationally; the number of persons who have found employment through the service; the level of monitoring by her of the service; and if additional supports are available to jobseekers as they undergo the transition back to work. [1210/16]

Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Payments

Seán Kyne

254. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment under the areas of natural constraint scheme will issue to a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46018/15]

EU Directives

Seán Kyne

312. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will extend the upper age limit for children, generally set at eight years of age, for which parental leave may be taken, given its particular helpfulness to parents during school holidays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45836/15]

Schools Building Projects Status

Seán Kyne

547. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Skills in the context of the recently published schools building programme, if the identification of County Galway as an area where additional provision may be required relates to the provision of a non-denominational second level school, for example, an Educate Together school; if she is carrying out ongoing consultation concerning the provision of second level schools under different patrons in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45835/15]

Private Residential Tenancies Board Administration

Seán Kyne

605. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the steps being taken to increase the efficiency of decision-making in disputes by the Private Residential Tenancies Board given that speedy decisions are in the best interest of both tenants and landlords and that prolonged disputes can leave a landlord without rental income despite facing mortgage repayments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45837/15]

Private Residential Tenancies Board Administration

Seán Kyne

606. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the Private Residential Tenancies Board is to receive increased resources due to the greater role the board will play arising from the recent measures on housing introduced by him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45838/15]

Public Service Obligation Services

Seán Kyne

700. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will implement a public service obligation bus route from the west of Galway city to the major employment sites on the east of the city such as at Parkmore and Ballybrit, given the positive impact such a service will have on traffic flows and the success of shuttle bus services for other sectors such as health care which are already operating. [45833/15]

Services for People with Disabilities

Seán Kyne

701. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 37 of 23 September 2015, if he has concluded his consideration of the report on Transitioning to a Wheelchair Accessible Licensed Bus Sector; and the next steps in achieving the overall objective of the report. [45834/15]

Road Projects

Seán Kyne

13. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport while being mindful of the importance of a rigorous planning framework, if he is concerned at the impact the placing of onerous planning obligations on local authorities and Transport Infrastructure Ireland is having on Government investment in transport projects such as the N59 Oughterard to Maam Cross road in County Galway upgrade, including, for example, the requirement to produce method statements for every stage of a project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44959/15]

Driver Test Centres

Seán Kyne

31. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his policy on funding driving test centres; if the Office of Public Works is the lead agency in securing accommodation; if there is a process through which the views of staff in such centres are taken into account and the need to provide a high standard of service to the public is considered; if the need to provide a comprehensive service in all areas shapes the policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40600/15]

Public Sector Staff Redeployment

Seán Kyne

70. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will open up the transfer list for employees within the public service, the numbers who are interested in such transfers, with particular reference to the education and training boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45507/15]

Basic Payment Scheme Payments

Seán Kyne

88. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will be paid under the basic payment scheme and if he has rectified issues surrounding a dual claim. [45580/15]

Mining Industry

Seán Kyne

173. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the Mining Board has made a decision on an application by a person (details supplied) in County Galway; if not, when it will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45516/15]

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Seán Kyne

49. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when the updated area intervention map for the national broadband plan will be published; if he is aware of concerns that delays with private operator investment for expansion are occurring on account of the planned intervention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44804/15]

National Energy Efficiency Action Plan

Seán Kyne

64. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress under the national energy efficiency action plan on retrofitting Government and public buildings; if the financial and environmental savings are known; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44807/15]

Commonage Division

Seán Kyne

257. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine with reference to the assignment of an adviser to a commonage (details supplied) in County Galway for the preparation of green low-carbon agri-environment scheme plans, if a planner has been assignedl; how this assignment was made; if other planners expressed interest; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45454/15]

Road Projects

Seán Kyne

647. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the level of funding he or agencies under the remit of his Department provide for the Galway city bypass project; and the status of the project. [45046/15]

Departmental Agencies Staff Remuneration

Seán Kyne

668. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht why employees of Údarás na Gaeltachta, grades 1 to 5, are not employed on pay scales comparable to the public service, when this pay differential first came into place, its impact on pensions for those employees, the engagement she has had with the staff unions on behalf of employees; if a resolution to the issue is possible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44861/15]

Leader Programmes Administration

Seán Kyne

25. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of the new Leader programme, when it will be delivered in communities, the status of its delivery in County Galway, if its commencement in County Galway will be delayed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44110/15]

Planning Issues

Seán Kyne

31. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is concerned regarding our planning laws as they relate to the timescales to decide on planning applications for major companies backed by the Industrial Development Agency Ireland and Enterprise Ireland; if we compare favourably with our European competitors in adjudicating on planning applications, if he has been approached by the agency or Enterprise Ireland in regard to speeding up decision times, lest we lose possible investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44124/15]

Health Services Funding

Seán Kyne

168. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health in the context of the additional €66 million out of the additional €600 million that is being allocated to the Health Service Executive West in the supplementary budget, if he will eliminate the deficit of an organisation (details supplied) in County Galway which has effectively arisen from the implementation of a Health Service Executive's reduction in funding in 2010, which has been acknowledged was incorrectly applied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44550/15]

Departmental Policy Reviews

Seán Kyne

29. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress of consultation on the proposals contained in the review of education in the Gaeltacht policy published by her Department. [43869/15]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Seán Kyne

41. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress of the Apprenticeship Council which has recently marked one year in operation. [43868/15]

Agriculture Scheme Applications

Seán Kyne

86. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine why an application under the national reserve scheme by a person (details supplied) was not successful; if there is any action the person can take to have the application deemed successful; if the person is classified as being an old young farmer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44347/15]

Agriculture Scheme Payments

Seán Kyne

88. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payments under the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme and the young farmer scheme will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44351/15]

Údarás na Gaeltachta Funding

Seán Kyne

65. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if additional funding will be made available to Údarás na Gaeltachta in the supplementary budget allocations, given its excellent record in job creation, and to help realise the potential which exists for further job creation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43502/15]

Scéimeanna Tacaíochta Gaeilge

Seán Kyne

68. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Seán Kyne den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta i gcomhthéacs luach na Gaeilge sa gheilleagar agus staidéar a deir gur fiú os cionn €136 milliún do gheilleagar na Gaillimhe gach bliain an Ghaeilge, arbh fhiú breathnú ar scéim náisiúnta a thabhairt isteach chun gnólachtaí a spreagadh agus a mhealladh le níos mó Gaeilge a úsáid; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [43501/15]

Agri-Environment Options Scheme

Seán Kyne

221. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine why a person (details supplied) in County Louth has been issued with a debt repayment order, why the person was in breach of the terms and conditions of the agri-environment options scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43524/15]

Hospital Staff Recruitment

Seán Kyne

9. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health the proportion of the several hundred additional staff recruited to hospitals in 2015 to date who have been assigned to emergency departments; and the projected numbers to be recruited to the acute hospitals in the next 12 months. [42949/15]

Hospitals Capital Programme

Seán Kyne

64. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health when the specific projects to be funded under the capital investment plan and the additional funding for health services will be published, and if a new accident and emergency department for University Hospital Galway is among the priorities. [42950/15]

Child and Family Agency Funding

Seán Kyne

6. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if, in the context of the €676 million in funding for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, for 2016, which is a welcome and significant increase, he has received a business plan from the agency; and if the Houses of the Oireachtas will have an opportunity to examine the intended spending arrangements. [42645/15]

Early Childhood Care and Education Standards

Seán Kyne

29. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the progress achieved in enhancing the training and up-skilling opportunities for persons working in the early education and child care sector which is an objective relevant to a number of commitments contained in the "Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures" national policy framework for young persons. [42644/15]

Animal Welfare

Seán Kyne

71. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans regarding stray and feral cats which are categorised as neither owned or wild under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013; the discussions with cat rescue groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43114/15]

School Textbooks

Seán Kyne

151. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a book (details supplied) is on the approved list for the junior certificate English course; if she has received complaints regarding its suitability for young teenagers due to its adult nature; if she is reviewing its suitability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43080/15]

Garda Recruitment

Seán Kyne

71. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the numbers of new gardaí since the resumption of recruitment, by county; and her views on the current status of the community Garda role, which has been a successful element of An Garda Síochána. [42386/15]

Crime Prevention

Seán Kyne

96. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she, independently or in conjunction with other Departments or agencies, administers supports such as information, advice or grant assistance to householders on safety and security issues, particularly in the context of burglaries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42378/15]

Startup Gathering

Seán Kyne

6. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will report on the Startup Gathering 2015, which took place last month; if he has analysed the events and continuously monitored the impact, which was hoped to include the creation of at least 2,500 new jobs within the next 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41743/15]

Action Plan for Jobs

Seán Kyne

20. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation in the context of the designation of Galway as a United Nations educational scientific and cultural organisation city of film, the steps he is taking as part of the Action Plan for Jobs, and otherwise, to stimulate job creation and the further development of the creative industries, such as film and television production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41744/15]

GLAS Administration

Seán Kyne

18. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide automatic access to the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme plus to farmers who were previously within the Twelve Bens and Maumturks scheme in County Galway and the Nephin and Owenriff schemes in County Mayo, given the large destocking that took place in both areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41360/15]

Basic Payment Scheme Eligibility

Seán Kyne

29. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if areas that were deemed eligible as forage in 2008 under the single payment scheme, and designated as special areas of conservation or special protection areas, are still deemed to be eligible for payment, even if there is encroachment of scrub (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41361/15]

Road Traffic Legislation

Seán Kyne

218. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consult with Transport Infrastructure Ireland on plans to review the speed limits on national roads in the environs of Galway city, in particular the low speed limit on the N17 at Cappanabornia near Galway racecourse, on which many vehicles have been caught for speeding. [41918/15]

Defence Forces Deployment

Seán Kyne

76. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Defence the level of engagement he has had with stakeholders, including at European level, regarding defence and security procedures, given the increased threat following the appalling and reprehensible events in France; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41183/15]

Overseas Missions

Seán Kyne

90. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Defence his plans for the continued participation of the Irish Defence Forces, building on their exemplary work to date, in assisting persons seeking refuge from the conflict in parts of the Middle East; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41184/15]

Driver Test Centres

Seán Kyne

26. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to a previous parliamentary question, and given the acknowledgement by the Road Safety Authority of the restrictive, unsatisfactory and unsuitable nature of the existing driving test centre in Galway city, relating to lack of facilities including parking and the availability of space in which to carry out testing for larger vehicles, the progress by the Office of Public Works in securing new accommodation for the centre in Galway city. [40599/15]

Social Insurance

Seán Kyne

50. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if pay related social insurance contributions by self-employed persons count towards the cost of hearing aids; if not, the reason; if consideration will be given to amending this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41104/15]

Beekeeping Industry

Seán Kyne

117. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware of the concerns among Irish beekeepers regarding the risks associated with the importation of bees, particularly the possibility of the introduction of the hive beetle which has been discovered in Italy, having arrived from Africa; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41105/15]