Parliamentary questions

Carer's Allowance Applications

Michael Healy-Rae

322. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a carer's allowance application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24172/17]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Michael Healy-Rae

323. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a carer's allowance application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24180/17]

Disability Allowance

Alan Kelly

324. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Social Protection if, in the event of a person in receipt of disability allowance taking up employment that places them above the means threshold, there is a period of time whereby they can return to receiving disability allowance without a new application if the employment is terminated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24198/17]

Domiciliary Care Allowance Applications

Mary Butler

325. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a domiciliary allowance application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24212/17]

Social Welfare Fraud

Peter Burke

326. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection the way in which fraud is being tackled in his Department; the number of persons he has sanctioned to investigate claims; the number of licensed investigators that are operating here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24224/17]

Disability Allowance Payments

Michael Ring

327. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) will receive a decision regarding disability allowance arrears; and the reason for the delay. [24232/17]

Information and Communications Technology

Stephen Donnelly

328. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Social Protection the funding that is available for the provision of information technology access and training for older persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24233/17]

Social Welfare Payments Administration

Seán Haughey

329. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of legislation to exclude compensation awards arising from the Stardust fire as means for social welfare purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24243/17]

Disability Allowance Appeals

Alan Kelly

330. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on an appeal of the decision not to award disability allowance to a person (details supplied). [24279/17]

Farm Assist Scheme Applications Data

Michael Moynihan

331. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications in respect of the farm assist payment that have been submitted; the number of those which have been granted; and the number which have been refused in the past 12 months. [24281/17]

Invalidity Pension Applications Data

Michael Moynihan

332. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications in respect of invalidity pensions that have been submitted; the number of those which have been granted; and the number which have been refused in the past 12 months. [24282/17]

Disability Allowance Data

Michael Moynihan

333. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications in respect of disability allowance that have been submitted; the number of those which have been granted; and the number which been refused in the past 12 months. [24283/17]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Michael Healy-Rae

334. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a carer's allowance by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24298/17]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Pat Breen

335. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24311/17]

JobPath Implementation

John Brady

336. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection if JobPath providers (details supplied) hired 10% of their staff from the live register; if not, the percentage of staff that were hired from the live register, as committed to in a social clause in the contract between the providers and his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24480/17]

JobPath Implementation

John Brady

337. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection if monitoring and measuring of employer satisfaction with the JobPath service providers (details supplied) has taken place to date; the frequency with which this monitoring takes place; the way in which it is conducted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24481/17]

JobPath Implementation

John Brady

338. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection if the fees payable to both JobPath providers (details supplied) have been reduced by between 4% and 16% since the introduction of Jobpath in view of changes in employment levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24482/17]

JobPath Implementation

John Brady

339. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who have been reported to his Department by the JobPath providers (details supplied) for repeatedly failing to engage with the providers; the number of payments that have been reduced or suspended as a result of this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24483/17]

JobPath Implementation

John Brady

340. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of audits his Department has carried out to date as part of the obligation that contracts with service providers (details supplied) will be performance managed by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24477/17]

JobPath Implementation

John Brady

341. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection when the econometric evaluation of Jobpath by the Labour Market Council committed to in 2016 and 2017 will take place; the estimated time for publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24551/17]

Pension Provisions

Niamh Smyth

342. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to reinstate the State transition pension; his further plans to prevent persons forced to retire at 65 years of age having to apply for jobseeker's allowance for one year until they reach the State pensionable age of 66 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24485/17]

Carer's Allowance Eligibility

Bernard Durkan

343. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the alternative income available for a person (details supplied) following loss of their one-parent family allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24489/17]

State Pension (Contributory)

Niamh Smyth

344. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review a matter (details supplied); his plans to reform the pension system which discriminates against persons, mainly women, who took time out of the workforce prior to 1994 to care for children or elderly relatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24495/17]

Disability Allowance Applications

Michael Ring

345. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection the expected date for submitting the file relating to a disability allowance claim by a person (details supplied) to the social welfare appeals office. [24515/17]

Family Income Supplement Data

Thomas P. Broughan

346. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 300 of 9 of March 2017, the areas which the 117 persons in receipt of family income supplement work in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24519/17]

Family Income Supplement Data

Thomas P. Broughan

347. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of family income supplement recipients who work in the public service; his views on whether the public sector should take the lead in paying decent salaries to employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24518/17]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Michael Healy-Rae

348. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a carer’s allowance by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24540/17]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Michael Healy-Rae

349. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a carer’s allowance for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24532/17]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Michael Healy-Rae

350. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a carer’s allowance by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24555/17]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Michael Healy-Rae

351. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a carer’s allowance by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24556/17]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Michael Healy-Rae

352. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a carer’s allowance by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24557/17]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Michael Healy-Rae

353. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a carer's allowance application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24571/17]

Departmental Data

Seán Fleming

354. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 140 of 11 May 2017, the number of persons who owe his Department less than €1,000, between €1,000 and €2,000, between €2,000 and €5,000, between €5,000 and €10,000, between €10,000 and €15,000, between €15,000 and €20,000, and in excess of €20,000 respectively, in tabular form; the total value of debt in each of the categories; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24590/17]

Departmental Data

Seán Fleming

355. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 140 of 11 May 2017, further to the €41 million stated to be owed as a result of customer fraud, the number of persons that owe the Department less than €1,000, between €1,000 and €2,000, between €2,000 and €5,000, between €5,000 and €10,000, between €10,000 and €15,000, between €15,000 and €20,000, and in excess of €20,000 respectively in tabular form; the total value of debt in each of the categories; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24591/17]

Memoranda of Understanding

Seán Fleming

356. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 139 of 11 May 2017, if there is a memorandum of understanding between his Department and the Revenue Commissioners regarding non-insolvent businesses and non-registered businesses including partnerships and sole traders with debts due to the social insurance fund; the reasons his Department is unable to independently verify the status of non-registered businesses, with debt to the social insurance fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24592/17]

Social Insurance Fund Data

Seán Fleming

357. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 138 and 139 of 11 May 2017, the number of individuals and organisations that owe the social insurance fund less than €10,000, between €10,000 and €50,000, between €50,000 and €100,000, between €100,000 and €250,000, between €250,000 and €500,000, between €500,000 and €1 million, between €1 million and €5 million, between €5 million and €10 million, in excess of €10 million respectively, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24593/17]

Social Welfare Overpayments

Bernard Durkan

358. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a review of overpayment can be undertaken in the case of a person (details supplied) who it appears was placed on the incorrect rate of payment in 2013 and who could not have reasonably known that they were on the incorrect rate of payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24646/17]

Illness Benefit Appeals

Willie Penrose

359. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection when arrears in respect of illness benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) who was awarded same at a social welfare appeals meeting the result of which was conveyed to the person on 24 February 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24735/17]

Jobseeker's Allowance

Catherine Murphy

360. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons aged 25 years of age currently on a reduced rate of jobseeker's allowance who had previously been on a full rate under the care leaver exemption; the number of care leavers transiting to a reduced rate at the age of 25 each month for the 12 months April 2016 to April 2017; and the number of persons who are newly exempted from reduced rate by virtue of leaving care in the 12 months April 2016 to April 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24751/17]

Trade Data

Seán Crowe

361. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the amount of trade with Western Sahara per annum in each of the years 2010 to 2016; if all products coming from Western Sahara since the European Court of Justice ruling of 21 December 2016 have entered Ireland under the International Organization for Standardisation code for Western Sahara and not the Moroccan code; and if these products have not benefitted from the EU Morocco preferential tariff when applicable. [24114/17]

Trade Data

Seán Crowe

362. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland has opposed the European Commission's efforts to renegotiate a protocol with Morocco which includes Western Sahara, a territory that is outside its internationally recognised borders, in view of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruling of 21 December 2016 in a case (details supplied); and if Ireland inquired into the way in which the European Commission plans to get this consent of the persons of Western Sahara living in the liberated zone and in the refugee camps in order to create a new protocol, in view of the fact that the ECJ ruling requires the consent of the persons from Western Sahara for economic activities related to this territory. [24115/17]

Trade Data

Seán Crowe

363. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the European Commission's efforts to renegotiate a protocol with Morocco; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the EU Morocco Association agreement states that the certificates required to establish the place of origin shall be issued by the customs authorities of the exporting country; if he has enquired into which customs authority will be responsible for products coming from Western Sahara; and if he has enquired into the way in which Morocco acting in its sovereign capacity can deliver certificates of origin in relation to products originating in a territory located outside its international borders. [24116/17]

Trade Data

Seán Crowe

364. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the European Commission's efforts to renegotiate a protocol with Morocco; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Western Sahara is closed to independent international observers and to journalists; if he has inquired into the way in which the Commission will monitor the implementation of a revised agreement; if the European Commission is planning on relying on information provided by the Moroccan Government; and his views on whether such information provided by the Moroccan government in this case can be trusted. [24117/17]

Passport Services

John Brady

365. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of passports currently being processed by the Passport Office; the current waiting time for a passport under the passport express service; the current waiting time for a passport through the regular passport application process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24123/17]

Passport Services

John Brady

366. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if mechanisms have been put in place to assist in processing passports in view of the increase in applications being received by the Passport Office; if so, the mechanisms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24124/17]

Trade Agreements

Stephen Donnelly

367. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the implication for the Brexit negotiations of the ECJ ruling on the trade agreement between the European Union and Singapore; the implications of this ruling in the context of the Irish negotiation position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24195/17]

Human Rights

Darragh O'Brien

368. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of the efforts being made by his Department to secure the release of a person (details supplied) currently being detained without trial; the efforts being made by him and his Department to ensure this person is being treated in a fair and humane manner and that their human and legal rights are being upheld; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24274/17]

Council of Europe

Darragh O'Brien

369. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland contributed to the debate on the rule of law in Poland at the General Affairs Council Meeting on 16 May 2017; if so, if he specifically addressed and spoke out against the threat to the rule of law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24408/17]

Foreign Conflicts

Seán Crowe

370. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 302 of 16 May 2017, if he will direct the ambassador to Brazil to visit Guarani Kaiowá communities in Mato Grosso do Sul and provide him with a report of the challenges they face; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Aty Guasu Great Council of the Guarani Kaiowá will be held from 26 August to 31 August 2017 in Takura, Mato Grosso do Sul; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that international observers are travelling to hear the concerns of the Aty Guasu; and if he will direct the ambassador to Brazil to visit this important gathering. [24409/17]

North-South Ministerial Council

Micheál Martin

371. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the support his Department provides for the North-South Ministerial Council and the British Irish Council. [24367/17]

Passport Data

Seán Crowe

372. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of persons resident in the North of Ireland who currently hold Irish passports. [24714/17]

Office of Public Works Staff

Tony McLoughlin

373. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the provision of a new tour guide at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24081/17]

Public Appointments Service

Peadar Tóibín

374. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the steps he is taking to address capacity issues at the Public Appointments Service. [24581/17]

Flood Prevention Measures

Pearse Doherty

375. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the spend in each of the past five years on flood defence by scheme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23991/17]

Flood Prevention Measures

Pearse Doherty

376. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the planned spend on flood defences for each of the next five years, by scheme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23992/17]

Flooding Data

Pearse Doherty

377. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his attention has been drawn to the proposal for a data platform on flood insurance as per academic research (details supplied); his plans to implement such a database; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23993/17]

Public Sector Pensions

Bríd Smith

378. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount contributed by or deducted from all public sector workers toward their pensions including amounts from the pension levy, in each of the years 2010 to 2016. [24048/17]

Drainage Schemes

Brendan Griffin

379. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the works which are scheduled for the Maine and Laune embankments for 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24060/17]

Drainage Schemes

Brendan Griffin

380. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department will carry out strengthening works on a bank (details supplied) in County Kerry in order to prevent flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24200/17]

Secret Service

Catherine Murphy

381. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount surrendered back to the Exchequer in each of the years 2012 to 2016 and to date in 2017 from Vote, 15 Secret Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24211/17]

Public Sector Pay

Seán Fleming

382. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a group (details supplied) will be included in discussions in relation to an extension to the new agreements affecting pay and pensions of public servants; his views on whether it is correct to exclude it from discussions; if he will ensure it is represented in some part of the talks at which it will impact on the group before agreement is finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24313/17]

Pension Provisions

Pearse Doherty

383. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to his reply to correspondence to him from this Deputy of 3 April 2017 concerning community employment schemes and the issue of a pension entitlement (details supplied), the progress made to resolve this dispute; if he will host talks with the stakeholders with the view to resolve this dispute; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24448/17]

State Assets

David Cullinane

384. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the standard approvals required for the intrastate transfer of State property assets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24510/17]

Flood Prevention Measures

Dara Calleary

385. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of flood prevention plans for the River Deel; the timeframe for completion and planned construction schedule for these plans; if a budget is in place for these works; the work completed on the River Deel since December 2015 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24541/17]

Flood Relief Schemes Funding

Brendan Ryan

386. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if funding under the voluntary homeowner relocation scheme can be accessed by flood victims in areas other than the Shannon region; his views on the case (details supplied); if they meet the qualifying criteria; and if so, the application process for same . [24614/17]

Departmental Properties

Willie Penrose

387. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to utilise the significant site purchased on the Lynn Road, Mullingar, for the purpose of a planned decentralisation programme which was subsequently suspended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24739/17]

Údarás na Gaeltachta

Peadar Tóibín

388. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the reason it is outside of the statutory remit of the Public Appointments Service to manage the recruitment of a CEO for Údarás na Gaeltachta; the person or body that is responsible for the filling of this vacancy; the supporting legislation for this responsibility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24580/17]

Seirbhísí Dátheangacha

Peadar Tóibín

389. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cathain a chríochnófar an próiseas scrúdaithe atá á dhéanamh ar riachtanais Ranna Rialtais agus príomhfhoras poiblí i dtaca le daoine atá in ann feidhmiú go dátheangach; cathain a fhoilseofar torthaí an scrúdaithe seo; cathain a chuirfear córas nua i bhfeidhm ó thaobh scéimeanna teanga de; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [23974/17]

Seirbhísí Dátheangacha

Peadar Tóibín

390. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta céard atá déanta aici ó thús na bliana chun córas earcaíochta na Státseirbhíse a leasú chun a chinntiú go mbeidh níos mó daoine inti ag a bhfuil Gaeilge fheidhmiúil; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [23975/17]

Plean Teanga

Peadar Tóibín

391. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta conas atá dul chun cinn ó thaobh pleanáil teanga de á thomhas ag an Roinn; cén mheicníocht atá á húsáid ag an Roinn; cé na spriocanna sonracha agus amscálaí atá leagtha amach ag an Roinn; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [23976/17]

Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge

Peadar Tóibín

392. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cathain a fhoilseofar an plean gníomhaíochta don tréimhse 2017-2022 maidir le feidhmiú na Straitéise 20 Bliain; cén staid ag a bhfuil an Straitéis faoi láthair; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [23977/17]

Rural Resettlement Scheme

Peadar Tóibín

393. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount spent on the rural recreation scheme in 2016; the amount of funding allocated by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23985/17]

CLÁR Programme

Mary Butler

394. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if the CLÁR scheme can be extended to cover an area (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24072/17]

Forestry Management

Brendan Griffin

395. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the steps being taken to create a fire barrier to prevent a forest fire in Killarney National Park, County Kerry. [24092/17]

Wildlife Regulations

Bríd Smith

396. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his Department plans to issue authorisation for persons to enter onto private land in County Donegal or on islands off the coast of County Donegal to carry out the corncrake census; if her attention has been drawn to complaints that contractors to date in 2017 have broken the law in the construction of fences and so on without planning permission from Donegal County Council or permission from the NPWS and in contravention of the Wildlife Act which prohibits such work during the bird nesting season; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24130/17]

Wildlife Regulations

Bríd Smith

397. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the way in which grants for persons to provide protection for corncrakes was dispersed by county in 2016 and to date in 2017; the reason most of these grants were allocated to counties Mayo and Donegal, in which most of these birds nest without adequate funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24131/17]

Wildlife Regulations

Bríd Smith

398. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the pending fines or possible prosecutions against the State for breaches of EU wildlife protection law and destruction of protected habitats; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24132/17]

Departmental Expenditure

Peadar Tóibín

399. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she will provide a breakdown of the capital underspend in her Department; the capital underspend per Department scheme and per local authority, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24173/17]

Wildlife Control

Seán Haughey

400. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the details of the measures introduced in Balbriggan, County Dublin, to curtail the seagull population; the reason these measures were introduced; if similar measures can be considered for other areas such as Howth, which is experiencing a similar problem; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24183/17]

State Bodies Accounts

David Cullinane

401. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the accounting officers for the National Museum of Ireland, the National Gallery and the National Library of Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24227/17]

Departmental Expenditure

Michael Moynihan

402. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount of money which has been spent by her Department in respect of auditing the Leader programme between 2006 and 2013 inclusive, in tabular form. [24285/17]

Leader Programmes Administration

Pearse Doherty

403. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her plans to simplify the Leader application form; if her attention has been drawn to the concerns of community groups which have expressed frustration at the complex nature of the questions asked and the length of time it takes to complete same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24517/17]

Cúrsaí Gaeilge

Peadar Tóibín

404. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cé mhéad uair a bhuail an tAire sinsearach le heagraíochtaí Gaeltachta go hoifigiúil fad is atá sí ina hAire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta. [24539/17]

Cúrsaí Gaeilge

Peadar Tóibín

405. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cé mhéad uair a bhuail an tAire sinsearach le eagraíochtaí Gaeilge taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht go hoifigiúil fad is atá sí ina hAire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta. [24542/17]

Leader Programmes

Thomas Pringle

406. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she will consider simplifying the application process for Leader funding in view of the fact it can be burdensome for small community groups which do not have access to professional advice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24559/17]

Departmental Bodies

Peadar Tóibín

407. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when the new Moore Street oversight committee will be established and operational. [24596/17]

Arts Funding

Niamh Smyth

408. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her views on artist-run studio spaces; if she will consider extending specific supports to them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24598/17]

Arts Funding

Niamh Smyth

409. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she will consider lifting the budget limits on the per cent for the arts scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24599/17]

Arts Funding

Niamh Smyth

410. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the fact that Ireland is considerably behind its European counterparts with regard to state support for artist-run spaces. [24600/17]

Departmental Correspondence

Michael McGrath

411. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if her Department has received a request for additional funding for a project (details supplied) in Cork city in addition to the €12 million already committed by the Government; the process in order to assess such funding requests; the timeframe for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24617/17]

Leader Programmes Administration

Willie Penrose

412. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the steps she will take to streamline the process of administering grants and under the Leader programme to various groups; her views regarding the level of bureaucracy that is now attached to the scheme including the tardiness in ensuring that the approved schemes can proceed, which will minimise the impact for rural areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24738/17]

Action Plan for Rural Development Implementation

Thomas Pringle

413. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the status of phase 2 of the town and village renewable scheme; her plans to launch a pilot scheme before it is rolled out further; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24772/17]

Abuse in Hospitals

Pat Buckley

414. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health his plans to issue an apology or support for a person (details supplied) who suffered abuse as a young woman in a hospital. [24188/17]

Vaccination Programme

Tony McLoughlin

415. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health his views on whether an independent agency is required to undertake studies on the content of contaminating DNA and RNA retroviruses and metal toxicants and other potential contaminants in the HPV vaccines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23979/17]

Health Services Provision

Billy Kelleher

416. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of chiropodists in County Kerry to treat medical card holders; the names and addresses of each; the current waiting list for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23980/17]

Hospital Appointments Status

Robert Troy

417. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an appointment for hip replacement surgery for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23981/17]

Hospital Appointments Status

Robert Troy

418. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an appointment for hip surgery for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23982/17]

Hospital Appointments Status

Robert Troy

419. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an appointment for hip surgery for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23983/17]

Health Services Data

Gerry Adams

420. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 201 of 10 May 2017, the details for each of the 90 designated centres due to comply with 2021 regulations; the proposed scheduling of works in respect of each centre; and the stage each of the designated centres is at in respect of the works in question. [23987/17]

Respite Care Services Provision

Pearse Doherty

421. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the reason respite services at Carndonagh Community Hospital in County Donegal were recently disrupted for some service users; the efforts being made to ensure that services resume without delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23988/17]