Parliamentary questions

Direct Provision Payments

Willie O'Dea

308. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing the allowance for adults in direct provision from €38.80 per week to €40, €41, €42, €43, €44 and €45, respectively, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44070/19]

Direct Provision Payments

Willie O'Dea

309. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing the allowance for children in direct provision from €29.80 to €31, €32, €33, €34 and €35, respectively, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44071/19]

Social Welfare Benefits Data

Willie O'Dea

310. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing payments (details supplied) by €5, €10, €15 and €20, respectively, taking into account increases announced in budget 2020 in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44072/19]

Fuel Allowance Data

Willie O'Dea

311. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing the fuel allowance by one, two, three and four weeks, respectively, in tabular form taking into account increases announced in budget 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44073/19]

Living Alone Allowance

Willie O'Dea

312. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing the living alone allowance by €2, €3, €4, €5 and €6, respectively, taking into account budget 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44074/19]

Household Benefits Scheme

Willie O'Dea

313. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the full-year expenditure on the household benefits package by benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44075/19]

Rent Supplement Scheme Data

Willie O'Dea

314. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing rent supplement limits by an average of 10%; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44076/19]

Free Travel Scheme Data

Willie O'Dea

315. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the expenditure on the free travel scheme taking into account changes announced as part of budget 2020; the estimated cost of increasing expenditure by 10%; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44077/19]

Telephone Support Allowance

Willie O'Dea

316. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost of increasing the telephone support allowance by €1, €2, €2.50, €3, €4 and €5, respectively, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44078/19]

Qualified Child Increase Payments

Willie O'Dea

317. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing the qualified child increase in each age bracket by €2, €3, €4 and €5, respectively, taking into account increases announced in budget 2020 in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44079/19]

School Meals Programme

Willie O'Dea

318. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost of increasing expenditure on the school meals programme by 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%, respectively, taking into account changes announced in budget 2020 in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44080/19]

Departmental Expenditure

Willie O'Dea

319. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the annual expenditure on the living wage commission; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44081/19]

Child Benefit Data

Willie O'Dea

320. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing child benefit by €10, €15, €20, €25 and €30, respectively, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44082/19]

Maternity Benefit Data

Willie O'Dea

321. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing maternity benefit from 26 weeks to 30 and 34 weeks, respectively, for those who have had multiple births; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44083/19]

Child Benefit Data

Willie O'Dea

322. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of paying a double child benefit payment to parents on the birth of a child; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44084/19]

Jobseeker's Payments

Willie O'Dea

323. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of equalising jobseeker payments for those under 25 years of age to the standard rate in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44085/19]

National Advocacy Service

Willie O'Dea

324. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of advocates in the National Advocacy Services for People with Disabilities; the estimated full-year cost of increasing the number of advocates by five, seven, nine and ten staff, respectively, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44086/19]

Bereavement Leave

Willie O'Dea

325. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of introducing two weeks paid bereavement leave at a rate of €203 per week per parent who has been bereaved of a child under 18 years of age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44087/19]

Working Family Payment Eligibility

Willie O'Dea

326. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of reducing the hours required to qualify for the working family payment from 19 to 15 hours for lone parents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44088/19]

Social Welfare Code

Willie O'Dea

327. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of allowing lone parents in employment whose children are aged between seven and 14 years of age to receive both jobseeker's transition payment and the working family payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44089/19]

Social Welfare Code

Willie O'Dea

328. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated full-year cost in 2020 of extending the jobseeker's transitional payment for lone parents until their youngest child reaches 18 years of age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44090/19]

Social Welfare Appeals Data

Willie O'Dea

329. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of social welfare appeals lodged in each of the years 2012 to 2018 and to date in 2019; the percentage of appeals which were successful; the average waiting time in each year in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44091/19]

Departmental Contracts Data

Willie O'Dea

330. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the amount spent on external consultancy reports between May 2016 to date in 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44092/19]

Free Travel Scheme Data

Willie O'Dea

331. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of extending the free travel scheme to children in receipt of the domiciliary care allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44094/19]

Carer's Support Grant

Willie O'Dea

332. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing the carer's support grant by €100, €200 and €300, respectively, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44095/19]

Carer's Allowance Eligibility

Willie O'Dea

333. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing the income disregard for carer's allowance from €332.50 single and €665 for a couple to €450 and €900, respectively, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44096/19]

Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance Scheme Data

Willie O'Dea

334. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing the back to school clothing and footwear allowance by €10, €20, €25, €30, €35, €40, €45 and €50, respectively, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44097/19]

Social Welfare Benefits Data

Willie O'Dea

335. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing the State pensions by €5, €10, €15 and €20, respectively, taking into account changes announced in budget 2020 in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44098/19]

Social Welfare Benefits Data

Willie O'Dea

336. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing each social assistance payment by €5, €10, €15, €20, €25 and €30, respectively, taking into account increases announced in budget 2020 in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44099/19]

Social Welfare Benefits Data

Willie O'Dea

337. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing all social insurance payments by €5, €10, €15, €25 and €30, respectively, taking into account increases announced in budget 2020 in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44100/19]

Wage Subsidy Scheme

Willie O'Dea

338. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of extending the wage subsidy scheme to those in receipt of partial capacity benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44101/19]

Jobseeker's Benefit

Willie O'Dea

339. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated full-year cost in 2020 of the new jobseeker's benefit payment for the self-employed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44102/19]

Departmental Staff Training

Willie O'Dea

340. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if staff in Intreo offices have received disability awareness training; if not, the estimated full-year cost of training all staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44103/19]

Services for People with Disabilities

Willie O'Dea

341. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her Department provides funding or financial aid towards purchasing assistive technologies for persons with a disability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44104/19]

Exceptional Needs Payment Data

Willie O'Dea

342. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the expenditure on the exceptional needs payments in each of the years 2012 to 2018 and to date in 2019; the percentage of persons refused an exceptional needs payment to date in 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44105/19]

Housing Adaptation Grant Expenditure

Willie O'Dea

358. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the current expenditure on the housing adaptation grant taking into account changes announced in budget 2020; the full-year cost of increasing expenditure by 10% and 20%, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44106/19]

Public Services Card

Willie O'Dea

40. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of the public services card and the findings of the Data Protection Commissioner on same; if enforcement proceedings have been issued by the Data Protection Commissioner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43652/19]

Fuel Allowance Data

Willie O'Dea

42. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the way in which her Department has calculated that an increase in the fuel allowance as announced in budget 2020 will compensate for the increase in carbon tax; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43653/19]

Carer's Allowance Eligibility

Willie O'Dea

50. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the impact on the income disregard for carer's allowance was given consideration in view of the increase in the hours permissible to work as announced as part of budget 2020; if the income disregard for carers will be revised in view of the increase in the hours they can work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43603/19]

Social Welfare Benefits Waiting Times

Willie O'Dea

54. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the steps which have been taken to address waiting times for processing entitlement to essential social welfare payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43606/19]

National Minimum Wage

Willie O'Dea

60. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the increase in the national minimum wage will proceed on 1 January 2020 if there is a ratified Brexit withdrawal agreement in place prior to that date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43607/19]

Labour Activation Measures

Willie O'Dea

68. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the details on the €2.5 million announced in budget 2020 to target specific job activation and training supports for groups that are most distant from the labour market or have challenges entering the workplace including returnships for women; the number of persons she plans to target with this initiative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43605/19]

Social Welfare Benefits Reviews

Willie O'Dea

75. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the details of research into funeral poverty as announced in budget 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43604/19]

Insurance Coverage

Willie O'Dea

154. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the insurance industry has refused flood insurance for a number of domestic dwellings in the Limerick city area on the basis of a flood map prepared by a private company based in London and that particular flood map conflicts directly with the most recent flood map for those areas prepared by the OPW; his views on whether the OPW map should be the relevant map for determining flood risk; if the insurance companies will be instructed accordingly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43428/19]

Garda Recruitment

Willie O'Dea

235. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding a person (details supplied) who was interviewed in January 2018 for appointment as a member of An Garda Síochána and has not been admitted to the force to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43017/19]

Medicinal Products Reimbursement

Willie O'Dea

279. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health his plans to sanction the drug osimertinib in view of the fact that a number of persons are using it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42946/19]

State Pension (Non-Contributory) Eligibility

Willie O'Dea

621. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her Department is in the process of contacting recipients of the non-contributory pension querying their entitlement to this payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43173/19]

Medicinal Products Reimbursement

Willie O'Dea

226. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to ensure that persons here suffering with MS will have the same access to medication as persons in Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42814/19]

Child Benefit Payments

Willie O'Dea

311. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a child benefit payment will be transferred to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42826/19]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Willie O'Dea

104. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are insufficient ASD units in mainstream schools to accommodate demand; his plans to deal with same; his views on whether establishing an ASD unit in mainstream schools should be entirely at the discretion of the school, particularly in cases in which there is a high level of demand in the catchment area of the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42382/19]

Labour Activation Measures

Willie O'Dea

262. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the details of her returnships for women announced in budget 2020; the funding that has been allocated to this initiative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42506/19]

Carer's Allowance Eligibility

Willie O'Dea

265. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the impact on the income disregard for the carer's allowance was given consideration in view of the increase in the hours permissible to work as announced as part of budget 2020; if the income disregard for carers will be revised in view of the increase in the hours that they can work (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42551/19]

Air Corps Equipment

Willie O'Dea

107. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if funding will be made available for the replacement of Cessna FR 172H aircraft in the Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41832/19]

Insurance Coverage

Willie O'Dea

137. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Finance his plans to assist persons who are endeavouring to ensure their properties against loss and damage in view of the fact that there are a number of houses of long standing in Limerick city and its environs in areas that have now been designated as a flood plain as a result of which the owners cannot obtain house insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41741/19]

Tax Data

Willie O'Dea

140. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Finance the estimated amount it would cost to scrap the 50 cent stamp duty per cheque or bills of exchange; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41835/19]

Garda Deployment

Willie O'Dea

265. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí by rank attached to each Garda divisional drugs unit as of 31 December 2018 and 7 October 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41868/19]

State Bodies Funding

Willie O'Dea

475. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of funding provided to each State agency under the remit of his Department in 2018 and 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41870/19]

Regeneration Projects

Willie O'Dea

621. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the factory, a vital community programme in Limerick, is due to close in December 2019; the way in which the cut in funding can be justified; if his attention has been further drawn to the large expenditure on the facility; if the facility on the southside of Limerick will remain open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41702/19]

An Bord Pleanála

Willie O'Dea

625. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the estimated amount it would cost in 2020 if the budget for An Bord Pleanála increased by 8.5%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41833/19]

Departmental Schemes

Willie O'Dea

90. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) was informed that the review of the ex-gratia scheme is separate from the report that has to be sent back to the Council Of Europe on its implementation of the European Court of Human Rights judgment in a case which may take several months to complete in view of the fact that the ruling on this was that the ex-gratia scheme was not separate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40737/19]

Disability Allowance Applications

Willie O'Dea

486. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will be made on an application by a person (details supplied) for a disability allowance qualified adult pertaining to the spouse of the applicant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40989/19]

Regeneration Projects

Willie O'Dea

508. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the reason there is building of expensive private homes on public lands at a location (details supplied) in view of the fact the existing cost rental mode of building being piloted at another location could provide affordable and secure public homes to low and middle income earners in Dublin city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40736/19]

Residential Tenancies Board

Willie O'Dea

512. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to change the legislation establishing the PRTB that only allows an appeal to the courts on a point of law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40852/19]

School Meals Programme

Willie O'Dea

232. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the meals provided for in each school meals programme meets the requirements set out in Healthy Ireland guides and the Obesity Policy and Action Plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40007/19]

Parental Leave

Willie O'Dea

237. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the social insurance based parental leave benefit scheme announced as part of budget 2019; if the scheme will be in place by November 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39317/19]

School Meals Programme

Willie O'Dea

617. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the dietary requirements provided for in each school meals programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39911/19]

School Meals Programme

Willie O'Dea

618. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the religious dietary restrictions provided for in each school meals programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39912/19]

School Meals Programme

Willie O'Dea

619. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if coeliac disease is provided for within the school meals programmes; the number of schools which do not meet dietary requirements for pupils with the condition; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39913/19]

Working Family Payment Applications

Willie O'Dea

188. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will be made on a working family payment for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39117/19]

Public Services Card

Willie O'Dea

1. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to challenge the findings of the report from the Data Protection Commission on the subject of the public services card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38825/19]

Community Employment Schemes Review

Willie O'Dea

3. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of the interdepartmental review into community employment schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38826/19]

Social Welfare Fraud

Willie O'Dea

7. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will report on the new anti-fraud strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38835/19]

Pensions Reform

Willie O'Dea

11. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of her plans to introduce an auto-enrolment pension system; her views on whether quarter 3 of 2020 is a realistic timeframe for the implementation of the system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38834/19]

Departmental Reports

Willie O'Dea

15. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of the cost of disability research being undertaken by her Department; when she expects the research to be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38831/19]

Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility

Willie O'Dea

21. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to review capital assessment for entitlement to social welfare payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38833/19]

Departmental Strategies

Willie O'Dea

35. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when she plans to publish a new action plan for social inclusion; the reason it was not published in 2018 as envisaged; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38832/19]

Hospital Groups

Willie O'Dea

272. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health when the perceived significant inequality in funding for the UL hospital group will be addressed (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38362/19]

Disability Allowance Applications

Willie O'Dea

512. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will be made on a disability allowance application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38449/19]

Carer's Allowance Eligibility

Willie O'Dea

532. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to revise the means test for carer's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38827/19]

JobPath Programme

Willie O'Dea

533. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of JobPath; her plans to renew the contracts of the two private companies tasked with delivering same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38828/19]

Disability Allowance Payments

Willie O'Dea

242. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a person (details supplied) will receive arrears due to them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38134/19]

Nursing Staff Recruitment

Willie O'Dea

356. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the reason the commitment given in May 2018 at a conference (details supplied) that all graduating nurses and midwifes would be offered jobs in the public health services is not being honoured; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37115/19]

Community Employment Schemes Cessation

Willie O'Dea

647. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) did not receive pay in lieu of notice when funding was withdrawn from the community employment scheme effectively rendering it closed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37363/19]

Rapid Response Initiative

Willie O'Dea

43. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a new recruitment campaign for the rapid response roster will be carried out before the end of 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36104/19]

Tax Collection Forecasts

Willie O'Dea

143. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Finance the estimated amount that would be generated if the 2% stamp duty on houses that are sold for in excess of €1 million was increased to 3%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36107/19]

Pension Provisions

Willie O'Dea

283. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there is a mechanism or his plans to introduce a mechanism to enable teachers to revert to their original pension status later in their career in view of the fact that under circular 07-2013 the status of a second level teacher's pension will change if the teacher ceases teaching for more than 26 weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35170/19]

Garda Equipment

Willie O'Dea

641. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to replace aircraft and-or helicopters in the Garda air support unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36117/19]

Legislative Reviews

Willie O'Dea

1523. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to update the Inland Fisheries Act 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36106/19]

School Completion Programme

Willie O'Dea

1693. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated cost in 2020 if the budget for school completion programme increased by 12%; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36112/19]

Departmental Staff Recruitment

Willie O'Dea

1863. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of recruiting ten additional medical assessors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36105/19]

Legislative Reviews

Willie O'Dea

1978. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to update the Licensing of Indoor Events Act 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36114/19]

Living Wage

Willie O'Dea

16. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Taoiseach the estimated cost of implementing a living wage €12.30 for all employees directly employed and-or in agencies under his remit. [31566/19]

Medical Aids and Appliances Applications

Willie O'Dea

1375. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is a large waiting list for medical aids and appliances in the HSE mid-west area; when funding will be released to alleviate the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32687/19]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Willie O'Dea

1464. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that waiting lists for spinal fusion surgery are growing with the latest figures showing 102 children waiting across the children's' hospitals; the reason the orthopaedic theatre in Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin, is only open three days per week in the context of the growing waiting list; his plans to deal with the waiting lists for surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33062/19]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Willie O'Dea

1551. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are up to 69 children waiting at the beginning of January 2019 for spinal fusion and that since July 2019 there are 102 children waiting; the steps which will be taken in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33396/19]

Electricity Generation

Willie O'Dea

2156. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the electricity needed to power electric vehicles will be generated from current methods, such as coal, oil and wind generated power; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31962/19]

Septic Tank Grants

Willie O'Dea

2941. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when funding will be released for the new septic tank grant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33589/19]

Water Supply

Willie O'Dea

2942. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when funding will be released for the new private well grants scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33590/19]

Living Wage

Willie O'Dea

96. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the estimated cost of implementing a living wage €12.30 for all employees directly employed and-or in agencies under his remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30768/19]

Living Wage

Willie O'Dea

134. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the estimated cost of implementing a living wage of €12.30 for all employees directly employed and-or in agencies under his remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30772/19]