Parliamentary questions

Carer's Allowance Payments

John McGuinness

579. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a carer's allowance payment in the case of a person (details supplied) will be backdated to 13 August 2015 as stated in correspondence dated 16 March 2016; if her Department will acknowledge this decision as a Departmental error; and if the repayment being demanded by her Department will be set aside in view of the overall circumstances of the case. [30863/17]

Hospital Waiting Lists

John McGuinness

211. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) who is a patient in the orthopaedic trauma unit of Tullamore hospital will be admitted to the Mater hospital spine and back injury unit in view of the fact that their case is urgent; if he will expedite the matter [30721/17]

EU Directives

John McGuinness

212. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if the EU cross border directive relative to health care covers the cost of tests to determine if a person has Lyme disease; if this directive covers treatment for Lyme disease in another EU state; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30723/17]

Hospital Waiting Lists

John McGuinness

213. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30724/17]

Vaccination Programme

John McGuinness

214. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 831 and 832 of 2 May 2017, the basis on which he is making the claim that unfounded false claims have been made of an association between HPV vaccination and a number of conditions experienced by a group of young persons; if he will publish research, scientific or otherwise, that he has carried out which supports this statement; if no research has been undertaken by him, if he will now do so; the supports he will put in place for over 300 persons who are suffering ill heath and whose lives are devastated; if he will meet the persons concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30725/17]

Hospital Waiting Lists

John McGuinness

215. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he will arrange an early date for a spine operation for a person (details supplied) in view of the fact that their case is urgent; and if he will expedite the matter [30726/17]

Carer's Allowance Applications

John McGuinness

282. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will examine an application for carer's allowance by a person (details supplied) regarding full-time care; and if a review of the decision will also be undertaken. [30722/17]

Residential Institutions Redress Scheme Eligibility

John McGuinness

220. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the case of a person (details supplied) can be considered by the redress scheme; and if he will expedite this matter. [29742/17]

Hospital Appointments Status

John McGuinness

378. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he will arrange an early appointment for a person (details supplied). [29741/17]

International Conventions

John McGuinness

832. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps the Government is taking to ensure that Ireland complies with its international legal responsibilities regarding judicial corruption relative to Article II of the UN convention against corruption; if legislation or regulations will be introduced to prevent an organisation (details supplied) from mandatorily making a Superior Court judge a bencher upon taking the judicial seal of office or that would prohibit serving judges from being members of a society; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28240/17]

Dental Services Staff

John McGuinness

1033. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the actions he is taking to recruit a dentist for a health centre (details supplied); the way in which the fourth and sixth class dental check at schools will be undertaken while the position remains vacant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26623/17]

Services for People with Disabilities

John McGuinness

1034. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health his plans to fund works at a location (details supplied) in order to assist the home to comply with the latest HIQA report; if his Department's officials will assist with all of the persons involved who are deeply distressed by the HSE's actions and press release on the matter. [26624/17]

Cross-Border Health Initiatives

John McGuinness

1218. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the rationale behind the decision to establish a cap of €130 on reimbursements to persons availing of the cross-border directive EU 2011/24 for outpatient diagnostic procedures; if the cap of €130 is a breach of the directive; if all diagnostic procedures carried out by the HSE or commissioned by the HSE from private providers are priced at €130 for accounting purposes only; if a ready reckoner will be established by the HSE similar to the one used by consultants to assist persons in establishing the HSE costs for procedures carried out under the EU directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27392/17]

Rural Transport Services

John McGuinness

1879. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for investment in rural routes; his further plans to ensure that there will be transport services in rural Ireland to accommodate local communities (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28241/17]

Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility

John McGuinness

2097. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) is in receipt of all entitlements; and if disability allowance payments qualify the person for further benefits from her Department or any other Department. [28713/17]

Protected Disclosures

John McGuinness

2143. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 213 of 28 March 2017, if he is in receipt of a report (details supplied) from Galway City Council; and the process he plans to follow and the timeframe involved. [26625/17]

Local Authority Housing Eligibility

John McGuinness

2160. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will review the income ceiling for qualification on local authority housing lists in view of the fact those that do not qualify cannot qualify for home loans and have no security in their accommodation. [26750/17]

Local Authority Housing Eligibility

John McGuinness

2161. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if his Department has issued instructions to all local authorities to request that any non-Irish housing applicants be asked to provide proof that they do not own property in the country of their birth regardless of the number of years they have lived here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26751/17]

Control of Dogs

John McGuinness

2230. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will establish a panel of experts and other interested parties to review dog bite prevention and relative legislation with a view to bringing legislation into line with other EU countries and focusing on the obligations and responsibilities of dog owners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28242/17]

Respite Care Services Provision

John McGuinness

408. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the reason the proposed temporary respite house for children with disabilities in counties Carlow and Kilkenny, which was due to open in Bagenalstown in 2017, will not go ahead; the status of this project; the alternative respite services that are available to parents for children with disabilities in counties Carlow and Kilkenny in the immediate to short term in view of recent announcements; his long-term plans for a respite house for children with disabilities in counties Carlow and Kilkenny; the timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25344/17]

Bullying in the Workplace

John McGuinness

526. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he will initiate an independent investigation into allegations of bullying and harassment in the workplace regarding a person (details supplied) in view of the fact that all actions taken to date were not independent and have not yielded resolution; and if he will expedite the matter. [24635/17]

Hospital Records

John McGuinness

527. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 453 of 4 April 2017, if part of the response to this will be issued directly by HIQA (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24636/17]

Freedom of Information Requests

John McGuinness

609. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason a freedom of information, FOI, request submitted on 14 February 2017 in the name of a person (details supplied) has not been responded to; and if the matter will be expedited. [23011/17]

Prison Committals

John McGuinness

128. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if authorisation will be given for an independent audit of the prison system relative to the methodology used to calculate fines and warrants for persons who had served time in prison and were being released on payment of the fine imposed; the number of persons who were overcharged in the past due to the wrong calculation being made; the amount of overpayment; if the overpayments in question will be refunded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21750/17]

Prison Service Staff

John McGuinness

129. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the action she will take to ensure the safety of prison officers who are now being videoed by some members of the public using mobile telephones while on prisoner escort duties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21751/17]

Prison Service Staff

John McGuinness

130. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the fact that prison officers are being disciplined for not wearing full uniform while escorting prisoners to hospitals and so on in spite of the fact that there is not a sufficient number of stab proof vests, batons and radios to cover all prison officers on escorts each day; if she will authorise an audit of all of the prisons to ensure that this issue is addressed without delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21752/17]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

John McGuinness

207. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a SNA will be approved for a person (details supplied); his plans regarding the lack of places in mainstream schools for children with autism in Kilkenny city; his further plans to provide funding and other supports to deal with this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21747/17]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

John McGuinness

208. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills the action he is taking to address the lack of places at primary and secondary level for students with autism in counties Carlow and Kilkenny; if he will appoint an official from his Department to assist individual families to source places or provide alternatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21749/17]

Commercial Rates

John McGuinness

230. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the main headings of his proposals to reform the system of commercial rates; if there is a timeframe for the introduction of the legislation required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21748/17]

Local Government Reform

John McGuinness

231. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if the county council administrative boundary of counties Kilkenny and Waterford corresponds with their county boundary. [21774/17]

Local Government Reform

John McGuinness

232. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government , further to his statement of 3 April 2017 which suggested the need for new management solutions to be put in place to facilitate the cohesive expansion of Waterford city which will include areas of south Kilkenny, if this will mean a new joint Waterford/ Kilkenny management structure for the area in question and not an administrative boundary change. [21775/17]

County Development Plans

John McGuinness

233. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government , further to his stated ambition for Waterford city to double in size by 2040, if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is a strategic plan in place, adopted by both Kilkenny and Waterford local authorities, to provide for Waterford city to double in size, with 42% of the planned growth provided for in Kilkenny. [21776/17]

County Development Plans

John McGuinness

234. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his views on whether Kilkenny County Council has not in any way impeded the growth of Waterford city, in view of the fact all of Kilkenny's plans correspond with the adopted Planning Land Use and Transport Strategy, PLUTS. [21777/17]

County Development Plans

John McGuinness

235. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that as the lead authority and the gateway city of the south-east region, Waterford has ignored Kilkenny's many requests to set up the implementation group to progress implementation of the Planning Land Use and Transport Strategy, PLUTS. [21778/17]

County Development Plans

John McGuinness

236. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Waterford County Council, despite giving assurances to the south-east region authority as far back as 2012 that it would meet its obligations under the national retail planning guidelines published by his department to prepare a joint retail strategy, has not convened meetings with the adjoining authority to progress preparation of the strategy. [21779/17]

County Development Plans

John McGuinness

237. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will use his powers under the Planning and Development Act 2000 and the Local Government Act 2001 as referenced by the boundary committee, and put the Planning Land Use and Transport Strategy, PLUTS, and or its successor on a statutory footing or require a joint plan be prepared and adopted by both authorities. [21780/17]

County Development Plans

John McGuinness

238. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the five local authorities in the south east have endorsed a joint submission to the national planning framework for the south east Waterford city east and that all five local authorities in the region share the same objectives in relation to the growth of Waterford city and the priorities to deliver same. [21781/17]

Local Government Reform

John McGuinness

239. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will change the administrative boundary as per the commentary of Senator Paudie Coffey on a radio station (details supplied). [21782/17]

Local Government Reform

John McGuinness

240. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the detail of the process involved and the legislation which covers the process for changing the administrative boundary of a county council. [21783/17]

Public Sector Staff Recruitment

John McGuinness

334. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason the Public Appointments Commission will not recognise a diploma in management and employee relations awarded in 2002 through a college (details supplied) as a HETAC level six or seven in view of the fact another college (details supplied) has been affiliated with HETAC since 2001 and the course was advertised as a major award; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21948/17]

Hospital Appointments Administration

John McGuinness

436. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he will schedule an urgent appointment at St. Vincent's University Hospital for a person (details supplied). [21740/17]

Departmental Legal Cases

John McGuinness

437. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the total number of claims made by persons or others against his Department and the HSE that were settled or not settled, respectively, before a court hearing, in each of the past six years; the cost to the State of the settlements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21744/17]

Freedom of Information Requests

John McGuinness

438. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the reason an FOI request submitted on 14 February 2017 in the name of a person (details supplied) has not as yet been responded to. [21746/17]

Departmental Correspondence

John McGuinness

551. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address issues raised by a person (details supplied); if a reply will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21741/17]

Departmental Investigations

John McGuinness

125. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of reports and complaints made to her Department by a person (details supplied); if the reports and complaints were ever investigated and, if so, the outcome; if the same reports were investigated by the Department of the Taoiseach before being sent from that Department to her Department; if the person was ever interviewed by officials from her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19500/17]

Wards of Court

John McGuinness

126. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the wards of court and their representatives will be given a comprehensive report on a regular basis on the way their funds are managed; the balance in each account; the way the funds were spent and administered; if she has received complaints from the representatives of the wards of court in relation to the absence of transparency and accountability in the current system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19501/17]

Protected Disclosures Data

John McGuinness

127. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of protected disclosures received by her from serving and retired members of An Garda Síochána; the process applied to each one; if investigations have been completed in any of the cases; the dates on which each one was submitted to her or her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19502/17]

Departmental Correspondence

John McGuinness

142. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of correspondence from a person (details supplied); if the concerns raised have been dealt with; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19670/17]

VAT Rebates

John McGuinness

224. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance if a full VAT return has been paid to a person (details supplied); and the reason for the delay in payment. [19204/17]

School Accommodation Provision

John McGuinness

310. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 145 of 10 November 2016, the status of an application for funding a school building project for a school (details supplied); and the timeframe for a decision. [19352/17]