Parliamentary questions

Defence Forces Remuneration

Bobby Aylward

12. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the steps being taken to ensure better pay and working conditions for members of the Defence Forces; the steps being taken to ensure appropriate supports are available to current and former members who may be experiencing financial difficulties; if he has satisfied himself that current recruitment methods are sufficient; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1806/19]

Commercial Rates

Bobby Aylward

1129. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he has satisfied himself that the Valuation Office is reverting to business proprietors who lodge appeals against drastic increases to their commercial rates in an efficient and timely manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54244/18]

National Broadband Plan Data

Bobby Aylward

91. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the timeline for the commencement of works on the ground under the national broadband plan and the measures contained within same to ensure rapid roll-out of broadband services for rural areas, rural communities and regional towns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53185/18]

Vehicle Registration

Bobby Aylward

152. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Finance if he is satisfied that the Revenue Commissioners have sufficient measures in place to ensure that applicants who engage in the process of taxing commercial vehicles are subject to a stringent assessment process; his views on the efforts and practices of the Revenue Commissioners' district offices to ensure that vehicles are not being unlawfully taxed as commercial vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53256/18]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Review

Bobby Aylward

439. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the status of the review of the system for setting prices under the nursing home support scheme; if he is satisfied that the process has been conducted in an efficient manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53254/18]

General Practitioner Services Provision

Bobby Aylward

123. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the impending retirements of general practitioners at medical centres (details supplied); his plans to ensure that services do not diminish due to possible delays in securing replacement general practitioners; his plans to ensure the recruitment campaign for these specific medical centres is adequate in securing the services required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52537/18]

Prison Security

Bobby Aylward

140. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the report into the circumstances surrounding the escape of a prisoner (details supplied) requested for by his predecessor following the stabbing of two prison officers in Tallaght hospital in February 2018; if the report will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52359/18]

Post Office Closures

Bobby Aylward

41. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to ensure the viability and sustainability of towns and villages in rural Ireland that have lost or are losing the local post office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51864/18]

LEADER Programmes Administration

Bobby Aylward

50. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he is satisfied that the application process for community groups applying to LEADER is efficient and that the process is not discouraging groups from making an application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51863/18]

Jobs Data

Bobby Aylward

83. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Taoiseach the additional jobs added in the 12 months to Q3 2018 in County Kilkenny from the latest labour force survey. [50507/18]

Community Employment Schemes Supervisors

Bobby Aylward

550. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position regarding contractual, pay and pension concerns raised by community employment scheme supervisors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52033/18]

Laboratory Facilities

Bobby Aylward

6. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the review and cost-benefit analysis of the regional veterinary laboratory in County Kilkenny which serves the farmers of the entire south-east region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51041/18]

Agriculture Scheme Payments

Bobby Aylward

54. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to ensure that farmers experience no unnecessary delays in direct payments, which are crucial for agribusinesses (details supplied); if a modernised advance payments system will be introduced to assist farmers in situations in which the delays are caused by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51042/18]

Medical Products

Bobby Aylward

57. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the use of a device (details supplied) in the treatment of children with scoliosis; the steps he has taken to satisfy himself that there are no health and safety risks to children with scoliosis being treated with the device; the steps he has taken to ensure that parents are informed regarding potential health and safety risks in the use of the device and ensure informed consent guidelines are abided by in all such instances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50873/18]

Health Services Provision

Bobby Aylward

103. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health his plans to improve and enhance cardiac care services for those living in the south east; his views on whether there is an equal provision of cardiac services in this region when compared with the rest of the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50874/18]

Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Eligibility

Bobby Aylward

535. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a townland (details supplied) in the DED of Ballyvool, County Kilkenny, has been removed from the area of natural constraint scheme in the latest review; his plans to re-examine this decision; the appeals mechanism in place for farmers affected by the recent review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50674/18]

School Transport Applications Data

Bobby Aylward

71. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of children from counties Carlow and Kilkenny that applied for concessionary school transport tickets and were not allocated same; when affected families were notified; his plans to review the workings of the school transport system in particular the system for the allocation of concessionary tickets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49537/18]

Passport Applications Refusals

Bobby Aylward

116. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason a person (details supplied) has been refused an Irish passport; if he will review the appeal that has been subsequently lodged; if there is an avenue through which this person can secure an Irish passport without having to engage in the naturalisation process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49762/18]

Insurance Costs

Bobby Aylward

24. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Finance the measures he has taken to meet and engage with insurance companies here regarding excessive premiums being charged to consumers particularly in counties Carlow and Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48428/18]

Defence Forces Remuneration

Bobby Aylward

86. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the steps being taken to ensure better pay and working conditions for members of the Defence Forces; the steps being taken to ensure appropriate supports are available to both current and former members of the Defence Forces who may be experiencing financial difficulties; if he is satisfied that recruitment methods are sufficient; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48216/18]

Schools Mental Health Strategies

Bobby Aylward

132. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will identify appropriate avenues of funding which may be available to an organisation (details supplied) in order to assist it in its work promoting positive mental health in primary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48455/18]

Mental Health Policy

Bobby Aylward

164. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health if he will identify appropriate avenues of funding which may be available to an organisation (details supplied) in order to assist it in its work promoting positive mental health in primary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48456/18]

Hospital Equipment

Bobby Aylward

176. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the provision of funding to supply an MRI machine for St. Luke’s Hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48536/18]

Fuel Allowance Eligibility

Bobby Aylward

626. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the eligibility criteria will be extended for fuel allowance to include those in receipt of disablement benefit and for persons over 70 years of age in receipt of social protection payments; if she will discuss same with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in advance of the next budget; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48160/18]

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Bobby Aylward

636. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason for the delay in transferring the carer's allowance application file of a person (details supplied) to the social welfare appeals office for independent assessment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48401/18]

Social Welfare Benefits Waiting Times

Bobby Aylward

88. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she is satisfied that the application process and waiting times for payments such as domiciliary care's allowance and carer's and disability allowances are both acceptable and accessible; the steps being taken to reduce waiting times for these payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46618/18]

Post Office Closures

Bobby Aylward

26. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to ensure the viability and sustainability of towns and villages in rural areas which have lost or are losing their local post office. [46040/18]

Ministerial Meetings

Bobby Aylward

219. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Finance his plans for a formal engagement with his Dutch counterpart; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45835/18]

Garda Transport Provision

Bobby Aylward

446. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the provision of funding has been investigated for the purchase of additional high-powered off-road bikes for use by An Garda Síochána in specialised situations or pursuits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45834/18]

Ministerial Meetings

Bobby Aylward

749. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health if he has had formal engagements with his EU counterparts over the past six months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45837/18]

Forestry Sector

Bobby Aylward

778. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the potential funding streams available to assist and-or supplement a person (details supplied) in the replanting of Sitka spruce following the conclusion of the felling process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45227/18]

Rural Transport Programme Funding

Bobby Aylward

943. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the possibility of increasing the budget for the rural transport programme by 10% has been investigated; the estimated cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45838/18]

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Bobby Aylward

1067. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position regarding an invalidity pension appeal by a person (details supplied); the action she will take to ensure this appeal is processed as efficiently as possible in view of the amount of time it has been with the social welfare appeals office and the circumstances the person is enduring; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45096/18]

Pension Provisions

Bobby Aylward

1092. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to outline her plans to extend the total contributions approach announced in budget 2019 being applied to those who left the work force for an extended period of time to raise children in the home and who retired on or before September 2012 to those who retired in similar circumstances and who retired in the years and months prior to September 2012; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45260/18]

Film Industry

Bobby Aylward

1236. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to meet the CEO of the Irish Film Board; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45836/18]

Insurance Costs

Bobby Aylward

40. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Finance the measures taken to meet and engage with insurance companies here regarding excessive premiums being charged to consumers particularly in counties Carlow and Kilkenny. [40780/18]

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Bobby Aylward

639. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position regarding an invalidity pension review for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43448/18]

School Staff

Bobby Aylward

86. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to introduce one release day per week for teaching principals in order to carry out administrative work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42075/18]

Garda Strength

Bobby Aylward

12. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí and reservists in each Garda station in counties Carlow and Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42401/18]

Departmental Correspondence

Bobby Aylward

223. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a reply will issue to correspondence sent to a person (details supplied) that has been acknowledged as received on a number of occasions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42091/18]

Laboratory Facilities

Bobby Aylward

22. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the review and cost-benefit analysis of the regional veterinary laboratory in County Kilkenny which serves the farmers of the entire south east region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41304/18]

Basic Payment Scheme Payments

Bobby Aylward

29. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he has taken to ensure that farmers will not be forced to endure delays in receiving payments later in 2018 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41305/18]

Broadband Service Provision

Bobby Aylward

11. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps he has taken to improve broadband and connectivity services in a town (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41222/18]

Broadband Service Provision

Bobby Aylward

13. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps he has taken to improve broadband and connectivity services in a town (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41221/18]

Schools Building Projects Applications

Bobby Aylward

76. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application for an extension and associated building works by a school (details supplied) to the school capitals appraisal section, planning and building unit; if his attention has been drawn to the need for an efficient decision to be returned urgently in order that the school can apply for planning permission in advance of the next academic year when it will facilitate an extra class; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41325/18]

School Transport Provision

Bobby Aylward

109. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the delays in the payment of the bus escort grant to school (details supplied) and the subsequent difficulties the current situation is causing for the students, the majority of whom have moderate to severe learning disabilities, and for the management and staff; the steps he has taken to address this matter; the number of schools nationwide which are awaiting delayed payment of the bus escort grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40892/18]

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Bobby Aylward

122. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of reversing the budget 2011 decision to increase the SUSI grant non-adjacency qualifying distance from 24 km to 45 km; if reversing same has been considered in advance of budget 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40923/18]

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Bobby Aylward

123. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way in which the distances for adjacent and non-adjacent third-level grants were arrived at; his plans to reform the calculation of distances to one of a mean average for the journey; his further plans to address the issue of the calculation via the shortest distance using rural roads in poor repair; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40924/18]

Defence Forces Remuneration

Bobby Aylward

50. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to address the problems with recruitment and retention across the Defence Forces; his plans to improve pay and working conditions for members of the Defence Forces; his plans to improve pensions, benefits and retirement packages for former members of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39965/18]

Adult Education Provision

Bobby Aylward

140. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he will take to secure a funding increase on the amount allocated (details supplied) for adult literacy provision in 2016 in advance of budget 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40211/18]

Qualifications Recognition

Bobby Aylward

185. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health if he will request an organisation to expedite the degree recognition process in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40207/18]

Qualifications Recognition

Bobby Aylward

186. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the steps he has taken to improve waiting times for the process by which social workers who have qualified in the UK must apply to an organisation (details supplied) in order to have their qualifications recognised before they can start working here and avail of existing job offers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40208/18]

Nursing Staff Contracts

Bobby Aylward

188. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken in advance of budget 2019 to improve nursing and midwifery recruitment and retention; the steps being taken to improve annual starting salaries for staff nurses and staff midwives in comparison with those of teachers and healthcare assistants; the steps being taken to ensure that Irish nurses and midwives' average weekly working hours are improved in line with those of their international counterparts; the steps being taken to ensure that Ireland can retain highly trained and skilled nurses and midwives as demand rises around the world due to the global shortage of nurses and midwives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40217/18]

Departmental Funding

Bobby Aylward

189. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health if an urgent request will be made to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to secure funding for an organisation (details supplied) through budget 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40220/18]

Health Services Staff Remuneration

Bobby Aylward

193. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the restoration of pay in section 39 agencies in advance of budget 2019; his further plans to consider applying the new pay levels retrospectively; if he has costed the restoration of pay, the realignment of incremental scales and the payment of arrears due for all of the section 39 agencies; his views on the possibility of further strike action; his further views on the possibility of a closure of services, in particular respite services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40225/18]

Fodder Crisis

Bobby Aylward

232. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the possibility of introducing a low-cost loan scheme at the European investment loan rate of 1.5% will be examined in order to support farmers who have had to expend significant funds to source and transport fodder and feed as a result of severe weather conditions (details supplied) in 2018 and reduced prices for produce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40234/18]

Fodder Crisis

Bobby Aylward

233. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider introducing a subsidy for a high-fibre concentrate feed to mitigate the guaranteed fodder shortage in winter 2018 following the severe spring snowstorm and summer drought in 2018; the steps he has taken to examine all available risk management tools to determine which supports are most appropriate to the farming sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40235/18]

Fodder Crisis

Bobby Aylward

234. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will examine the possibility of reintroducing the fodder transport subsidy to assist farmers in transporting fodder which will be in demand due to the impending winter 2018 shortage following the severe spring snow and summer drought; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40236/18]

Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Review

Bobby Aylward

235. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the areas of natural constraint, ANC, review with regard to redesignation using a set list of biophysical criteria; if the new approach must be introduced from January 2019; if mapping of all ANC lands has been completed; the actions that have been completed to date by officials; the actions that remain outstanding; the timeframe for remaining actions; when the final ANC data will be submitted to the European Commission in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40237/18]

Veterinary Laboratories

Bobby Aylward

236. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the review and cost-benefit analysis of the regional veterinary lab in County Kilkenny, which serves the farmers of the entire region of the south east; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40238/18]

Sheep Welfare Scheme

Bobby Aylward

237. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the possibility of increasing the €10 subsidy cap per ewe under the sheep welfare scheme will be examined in advance of budget 2019 in view of the underspend of €5 million in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40239/18]

Action Plan for Rural Development

Bobby Aylward

103. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the work of the Action Plan for Rural Development specifically relating to the revitalisation of towns and villages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38589/18]

Town and Village Renewal Scheme

Bobby Aylward

109. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the town and village renewal scheme; when applications from counties Carlow and Kilkenny can be submitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38590/18]

School Transport

Bobby Aylward

197. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of eligible and concessionary customers, respectively, transported in each financial year since 2010 and to date in 2018, by sub-division in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38767/18]

Haulage Industry

Bobby Aylward

384. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps which have been taken to assist an association (details supplied) following receipt of correspondence by his Department in July 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38450/18]

Medicinal Products Regulation

Bobby Aylward

1719. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the steps he and the Health Service Executive have taken regarding the issue of children affected by foetal anticonvulsant syndrome in circumstances in which children were exposed to sodium valproate medicines in the womb further to a meeting with members of group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34474/18]

Maternity Services

Bobby Aylward

1741. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied that there is equality nationwide of access to anomaly scans for pregnant women; the steps he has taken to ensure equality in the provision of anomaly scans for pregnant women who do not reside in close proximity to the country’s dedicated maternity hospitals in Dublin and Cork; his plans to remove discrimination based on location in terms of access to anomaly scans for pregnant women by extending the service to other maternity units around the country including a hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34632/18]

Hospital Charges

Bobby Aylward

1742. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health if the €80 charge imposed by certain hospital groups on persons with haemochromatosis requiring venesection will be removed as recommended by an association (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34633/18]

GLAS Issues

Bobby Aylward

1917. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if allowing an exemption under the terms of the GLAS scheme to allow farmers to harvest fallow from 1 September 2018 will be considered in an effort to increase fodder stocks around the country ahead of the winter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33319/18]

Child Care Costs

Bobby Aylward

2345. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she is satisfied that there is parity in the cost of childcare for working parents versus the cost of childcare for non-working parents in terms of state subventions; the steps being taken to achieve parity in the cost of childcare for working parents versus the cost of childcare for non-working parents; her plans to raise the State subvention to better assist working parents in meeting the significant costs of childcare thus allowing them to remain in the workplace during the early years of childhood; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34459/18]

Suckler Welfare Scheme Payments

Bobby Aylward

9. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the level of direct support for the suckler cow herd will be increased to €200 per cow under the next CAP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31481/18]

Beef Data and Genomics Programme

Bobby Aylward

40. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to ensure that good animals are not being dismissed under the technicalities of the BDGP scheme; the further steps he is taking to ensure that the skill of assessing an animal by eye (details supplied) is not being dismissed by the technicalities of the BDGP scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31482/18]

School Accommodation Provision

Bobby Aylward

187. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a response to a query by a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32286/18]

Schools Refurbishment

Bobby Aylward

188. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application for an extension and associated building works by a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32287/18]

Schools Building Projects Status

Bobby Aylward

189. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application by a school (details supplied) for a permanent extension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32292/18]

School Accommodation Provision

Bobby Aylward

190. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application by a school (details supplied) for additional school accommodation due to a growth in roll numbers; if funding will be granted for the installation and rental of two prefabricated buildings to accommodate two extra classes from 1 September 2018 for the 2018/2019 academic year until a permanent solution is agreed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32293/18]

Hospital Services

Bobby Aylward

507. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health his plans for South Tipperary General Hospital, Clonmel; his views on the impending hospital group transfer which may take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32288/18]

Health Services Funding

Bobby Aylward

508. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the steps he has taken to ensure approval of crucial funding for an organisation (details supplied) to ensure that those living in urban and rural areas of counties Carlow and Kilkenny have equal access to important supports and resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32290/18]

Hospital Consultant Recruitment

Bobby Aylward

509. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the provision of funding for additional paediatric rheumatology consultant posts in order to alleviate waiting lists for children suffering from juvenile arthritis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32294/18]

Disabilities Assessments

Bobby Aylward

510. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to address the concerns of representative bodies (details supplied) regarding the new standard operating procedure for assessments of need following a recent presentation before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32295/18]

Equine Identification Scheme

Bobby Aylward

595. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he has taken to enforce the time limit for the registration of newly born foals; if he is satisfied that the arrangements are beneficial to both stud owners in the collection of stud fees and the equine industry at large; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32289/18]

Invasive Plant Species

Bobby Aylward

614. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if approval will be given to allow for on-site incineration of invasive weeds (details supplied); his plans to counteract the potential impacts of these invasive weeds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32291/18]

Motor Insurance Costs

Bobby Aylward

80. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Finance the status of the implementation of the recommendations made in the report by the working programme on reducing the cost of motor insurance; the number of recommendations that have not been implemented to date; the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31035/18]

Flood Relief Schemes Status

Bobby Aylward

197. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the works which have been completed on the Kilkenny river flood relief scheme encompassing towns (details supplied); the flood alleviation works outstanding in the area; when these works will be completed in their entirety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31335/18]

Flood Relief Schemes Status

Bobby Aylward

198. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the works which have been completed on the Carlow river flood relief scheme encompassing Carlow, Leighlinbridge and Tullow; the flood alleviation works outstanding in the area; when these works will be completed in their entirety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31336/18]

Felling Licences Applications

Bobby Aylward

441. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a felling licence application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31342/18]

Coillte Teoranta

Bobby Aylward

740. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if funding will be made available through Coillte for required repair and maintenance of paths at an amenity (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30788/18]

Closed-Circuit Television Systems Provision

Bobby Aylward

9. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the commitment in the programme for partnership Government that CCTV cameras would be erected at all major junctions on motorways in an effort to combat rural crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29671/18]

School Staff

Bobby Aylward

101. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he will take to assist teaching principals in primary schools who are struggling to absorb the stress and reported work overload associated with their positions; if the possibility and feasibility of allocating one administration day per week to teaching principals will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29129/18]

Flood Relief Schemes

Bobby Aylward

29. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on the public objection and local opposition to aspects of the proposed flood relief plans for Ballyhale, County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28832/18]

Departmental Reviews

Bobby Aylward

250. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the review being undertaken by officials of the Irish Prison Service and his Department in consultation with the Attorney General examining the necessary legislative and-or administrative changes arising from the ruling in a case (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29190/18]

Vaccination Programme

Bobby Aylward

370. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding his engagement with the advocacy groups and families representing the young women who claim to have suffered adverse health effects shortly after having received a vaccine (details supplied); the steps he has taken to ensure a clinical care pathway appropriate to the medical needs of this group in line with previous commitments; the number of doses of vaccine administered to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29205/18]

Animal Welfare

Bobby Aylward

398. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he has taken to ensure that local authorities have the necessary resources to prevent cruelty to animals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28637/18]

Hospital Services

Bobby Aylward

16. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding his commitment to examine a number of proposals to improve cardiac care in the south east, including the deployment of a modular laboratory that will allow for diagnostic angiograms and intervention procedures; the position regarding efforts by UHW management to recruit additional staff to extend the operation of the existing cath lab by 20%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28380/18]

Audiology Services Provision

Bobby Aylward

212. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health if a review of services provided to 1,000 children by an audiologist in the south east is being carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28382/18]

Defence Forces Remuneration

Bobby Aylward

54. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the steps being taken to ensure better pay and working conditions for members of the Defence Forces; the further steps being taken to ensure appropriate supports are available to current and former members of the Defence Forces that may be experiencing financial difficulties; if he is satisfied that current recruitment methods are sufficient; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27749/18]

Social Welfare Benefits Waiting Times

Bobby Aylward

40. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she is satisfied that the application process and current waiting times for payments such as domiciliary care allowance, carer's allowance and disability allowance are acceptable and accessible; the steps being taken to reduce waiting times for these payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26571/18]

Paediatric Services

Bobby Aylward

339. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the status of the publication of an action plan (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26401/18]

Industrial Disputes

Bobby Aylward

379. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to avert imminent industrial action at the department of psychiatry in a hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26634/18]

Nursing Home Subventions

Bobby Aylward

404. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied that the State subvention to community nursing homes is adequate to support the provision of an appropriate level of residential care for elderly persons; if the possibility of increasing the State subvention to community nursing homes ahead of budget 2019 will be investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26771/18]