Parliamentary questions

Departmental Consultations

Bobby Aylward

405. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the national conference on community care and community nursing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26772/18]

Felling Licences Applications

Bobby Aylward

440. 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. [26261/18]

Broadband Service Provision

Bobby Aylward

473. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the position regarding the provision of fibre optic broadband services with speeds of at least 20 Mbps in an area (details supplied); the timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26802/18]

Legislative Measures

Bobby Aylward

606. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the position regarding the commercial rates Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26923/18]

Local Improvement Scheme Funding

Bobby Aylward

17. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount of funding provided to counties Carlow and Kilkenny under the local improvement scheme in 2017; his plans to announce a new local improvement scheme in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25803/18]

LEADER Programmes Funding

Bobby Aylward

30. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the reason for delays in the provision of funds to local action groups for approved projects under the Leader programme; the average waiting time taken for the provision of funding to local action groups following final approval for a project under the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25802/18]

Insurance Data

Bobby Aylward

93. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the release of information contained in two databases (details supplied) to potential new entrants to the Irish insurance market to encourage free and fair competition with new entrants able to enter and compete in the market here on a level playing field with existing market players; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24967/18]

Road Improvement Schemes

Bobby Aylward

113. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the progress of the proposed overbridge at the N24 Piltown bypass at Tower Road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24966/18]

Capitation Grants

Bobby Aylward

391. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an increase to the school capitation grant to primary schools in counties Carlow and Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24968/18]

Broadband Service Provision

Bobby Aylward

1022. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the position regarding the provision of broadband services with speeds of at least 20 Mbps in an area (details supplied); the timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24879/18]

Pension Provisions

Bobby Aylward

71. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding a motion (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24082/18]

Water Charges

Bobby Aylward

245. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to introduce an incremental instalment payment plan to assist persons in paying the cost of water connection charges that would be considered excessive or are in excess of a predetermined threshold; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24107/18]

Beef Data and Genomics Programme

Bobby Aylward

62. 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 steps he is taking to ensure that the skill of assessing an animal by eye is not being dismissed by the technicalities of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23643/18]

Suckler Welfare Scheme Payments

Bobby Aylward

66. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the possibility of increasing the level of direct support for the suckler cow herd to €200 per cow under the next CAP will be investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23642/18]

Hospital Services

Bobby Aylward

58. 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 status of 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. [23527/18]

School Transport Appeals

Bobby Aylward

266. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills the annual cost of running and maintaining the school transport appeals board; the value of payments to staff and all associated staff in each of the years 2015 to 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23646/18]

School Transport Appeals

Bobby Aylward

267. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of appeals granted by the school transport appeals board in each of the years 2015 to 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23647/18]

Paediatric Services

Bobby Aylward

377. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the use of equipment (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 equipment; the steps he has taken to ensure that parents are informed about potential health and safety risks in the use of the equipment and to ensure informed consent guidelines are abided by in all such instances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23298/18]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Bobby Aylward

378. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the steps he has taken to correct the inequity in waiting times, which can differ in children's hospitals by up to two years in some cases, for outpatient children with scoliosis (details supplied); the steps he has taken to ensure that lists are amalgamated, as committed to previously; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23299/18]

Paediatric Services

Bobby Aylward

379. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the provision of vests for bracing therapy for children being treated for scoliosis; the steps he has taken to ensure that vests for bracing therapy are provided to children being treated for scoliosis free of charge at children's hospitals (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23300/18]

Paediatric Services

Bobby Aylward

380. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the number of opening days per week for operating theatres at children's hospitals (details supplied); if operating theatre opening days will be extended, if possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23301/18]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Bobby Aylward

381. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the four-month waiting list target for surgeries for children suffering with scoliosis not being met as committed to previously; the steps he has taken to ensure that the 88 children currently waiting longer than four months will be catered for as urgently as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23302/18]

General Practitioner Services

Bobby Aylward

426. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to Irish Medical Organisation data which predicts that 42% of general practitioners in County Kilkenny will retire over the next five to seven years. [23547/18]

Budget Submissions

Bobby Aylward

451. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health if the possibility of reducing the household charge for family carers in advance of budget 2019 will be examined; if the possibility of extending the provision of general practitioner visit cards to those in receipt of the respite care grant in advance of budget 2019 will be examined; his views on the provision of State-funded panic buttons or personal alarms to those aged under 65 who require 24-hour a day care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23720/18]

Cancer Services Provision

Bobby Aylward

147. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the steps that he has taken to alleviate waiting lists for scans at a hospital (details supplied) for women with a family history of ovarian cancer in particular; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22812/18]

Basic Payment Scheme Administration

Bobby Aylward

164. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the rules relating to farm entitlements in instances in which there is an injunction on a deceased person's estate; if it is possible for his Department to transfer entitlements to a person's name in such an instance; if it is possible to seek a change of herd number into another person's name before the probate process is complete without first informing the official herd keeper as appointed through the ER1 process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22783/18]

Schools Amalgamation

Bobby Aylward

59. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he will take to assist a school (details supplied) in the process of ensuring that its two student bodies can be housed together on one school campus site following amalgamation in June 2016 in order to address the managerial difficulties and potential health and safety risks of operating on two different sites at opposite ends of the respective village. [22466/18]

Flood Relief Schemes Status

Bobby Aylward

167. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the estimated timeline and associated costs for completion of the flood relief proposals recently announced for the Freshford area of County Kilkenny; the steps he will take to ensure that the commitments made in respect of the estimated timeline and costs will be met accordingly; the steps he will take to ensure that appropriate public consultation and engagement with local residents and land owners in respect of the proposals take place in a considered and timely manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22591/18]

Flood Relief Schemes Status

Bobby Aylward

168. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the estimated timeline and associated costs for completion of the flood relief proposals recently announced for the Ballyhale area of County Kilkenny; the steps he will take to ensure that the commitments made in respect of the estimated timeline and costs will be met accordingly; the steps he will take to ensure that appropriate public consultation and engagement with local residents and land owners in respect of the proposals take place in a considered and timely manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22592/18]

Respite Care Services Provision

Bobby Aylward

301. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding emergency respite services for persons with special needs in counties Carlow and Kilkenny; the position regarding the provision of a facility for the purpose of emergency respite in County Kilkenny, such as one planned for Tullow, County Carlow; if respite services can be extended to the homes of persons with severe disabilities in counties Carlow and Kilkenny who are unable to travel or avail of transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22361/18]

Services for People with Disabilities

Bobby Aylward

302. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health his views on the adequacy of services for persons with special needs between 18 and 65 years of age in counties Carlow and Kilkenny; if a review system for young adults with special needs in counties Carlow and Kilkenny upon reaching 18 years of age, which re-examines social, medical and educational needs, will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22362/18]

Respite Care Services Provision

Bobby Aylward

303. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health if the reported inconsistencies in the number of hours of respite care provided to persons with special needs in the different HSE areas across the south-east region will be examined; his views on whether every carer should engage in a carer needs assessment to allow a family to plan and support the provision of care safely in their own home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22363/18]

Services for People with Disabilities

Bobby Aylward

304. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied that the provision of transport services for persons with special needs to day care centres in counties Carlow and Kilkenny is adequate for the families concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22364/18]

Medical Card Eligibility

Bobby Aylward

306. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health if the possibility of extending the provision of general practitioner visit cards to those in receipt of the respite care grant in advance of budget 2019 will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22365/18]

Medical Records

Bobby Aylward

394. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health his views on the refusal of a hospital to release personal medical documentation to a person (details supplied) under a freedom of information request made on 3 April 2018; his further views on the most adequate avenue through which the requester can seek satisfaction in respect of this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22367/18]

Medicinal Products Availability

Bobby Aylward

441. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application mechanism for a person (details supplied) who suffers from severe epilepsy and is seeking access to medicinal cannabis oil to treat the illness; the position regarding a mechanism being made available by which the person can apply for medicinal cannabis oil on the medical card or long-term illness scheme following correspondence to his office detailing the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21372/18]

Hospital Car Parks

Bobby Aylward

207. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the national review of hospital cark park charges; if free parking for those suffering from other long-term life threatening illnesses in addition to cancer patients will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20610/18]

Hospitals Building Programme

Bobby Aylward

210. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health if he will request the Health Service Executive to provide a comprehensive status report of plans for refurbishment, renovation and new building works at a hospital (details supplied) as committed to in its capital plan in view of the fact that it is the second quarter of 2018; the position regarding the appointment of a design team; the progress made subsequent to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20614/18]

Broadband Service Provision

Bobby Aylward

262. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the position regarding broadband services for a crèche (details supplied) which is located within the blue area on the national broadband plan map but cannot access sufficient broadband services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20524/18]

Medical Card Applications

Bobby Aylward

202. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health if a medical card will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20378/18]

Child Care Services

Bobby Aylward

253. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the possibility of increasing wages paid to childcare practitioners to reflect the qualifications they must possess to work within the industry will be investigated; the position regarding the reduction of childcare fees for working parents; her views on whether the significant expenses associated with childcare are effectively a deterrent to first-time parents who genuinely want to work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20340/18]

Valuation Office

Bobby Aylward

29. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the measures being taken to ensure that small and medium enterprises are not adversely affected by commercial rate revaluations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19855/18]

Local Improvement Scheme Funding

Bobby Aylward

45. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount of funding provided to counties Carlow and Kilkenny under the local improvement scheme in 2017; his plans to announce a new local improvement scheme in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19107/18]

LEADER Programmes Funding

Bobby Aylward

54. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the reason for delays in the provision of funds by his Department to local action groups for approved projects under the LEADER programme; the average waiting time for the provision of departmental funding to local action groups following final approval for projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19106/18]

Student Grant Scheme

Bobby Aylward

92. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 353 of 19 April 2018, if special funding for a person (details supplied) will be granted; the position regarding scholarships and bursaries for students studying abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19159/18]

School Accommodation Provision

Bobby Aylward

100. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the application by a school (details supplied) for a permanent extension will be expedited in view of serious health and safety concerns expressed by key community and education officials; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19240/18]

Health Care Professionals

Bobby Aylward

122. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied there are adequate measures in place to assist qualified Irish speech and language therapists who have trained in the UK and wish to return here to work (details supplied); if he is further satisfied that the regulations are not overly burdensome on speech and language therapists and ultimately counterproductive to addressing shortage of therapists here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19162/18]

Veterinary Inspection Service

Bobby Aylward

20. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress regarding the cost-benefit analysis of the regional veterinary laboratory network, including the regional veterinary laboratory in County Kilkenny which was due to be completed within six months of its commencement in late 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18289/18]

GLAS Payments

Bobby Aylward

25. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the balancing 2017 GLAS payments will be issued to farmers in view of the financial pressure and stress caused by the recent bad weather and subsequent fodder shortage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18290/18]

Forestry Sector

Bobby Aylward

164. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an application process is available through Coillte through which a person can seek funding for the provision of a cycle track in a Coillte forest; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18386/18]

Broadband Service Provision

Bobby Aylward

28. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the measures contained within the national broadband plan to ensure equality in the roll-out of broadband services for rural areas, rural communities and regional towns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18015/18]

Garda Retirements

Bobby Aylward

298. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda retirements from each Garda station in counties Carlow and Kilkenny in each of the years 2014 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18075/18]

Medicinal Products Regulation

Bobby Aylward

9. 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, FACS, in circumstances in which children were exposed to sodium valproate medicines in the womb; his plans to conduct a review of the families and children affected by this issue; his further plans to set up a compensation scheme for the families affected in view of the compensation scheme set up in France; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17017/18]

Hospital Services

Bobby Aylward

70. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health his plans 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 University Hospital Waterford, 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. [17018/18]

National Educational Psychological Service

Bobby Aylward

152. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is satisfied that a purpose built school (details supplied) for pupils with a moderate, severe or profound general learning disability, including pupils with autism within these categories, has sufficient access to the NEPS services, including in-services training and school support; the steps he will take to rectify this inequality and ensure that the 15 teachers and 32 SNAs have access and equality to in-service training and school support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17241/18]

Schools Building Projects Applications

Bobby Aylward

153. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an additional school accommodation application by a school (details supplied); if the project will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17242/18]

Hospital Charges

Bobby Aylward

239. 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. [17180/18]

Arts Funding

Bobby Aylward

353. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if special funding for a person (details supplied) will be granted; if a special funding scheme to support exceptionally talented young persons under 18 years of age will be investigated, with a view to its introduction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17237/18]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Review

Bobby Aylward

172. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health if he will publish the review of the pricing system for long-term residential care facilities as recommended within the review of the fair deal scheme; if an independent appeals mechanism will be introduced within the fair deal scheme to provide third party recourse for nursing home providers that fail to agree a fee with the NTPF and in an effort to bring greater transparency to the fair deal pricing mechanism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16969/18]

Telephone Support Allowance

Bobby Aylward

232. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the qualifying criteria for the telephone allowance due to be reinstated in October 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16914/18]

Garda Deployment

Bobby Aylward

44. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of new recruits assigned to each Garda station in counties Carlow and Kilkenny in each of the years 2014 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16547/18]

School Accommodation Provision

Bobby Aylward

458. 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. [16411/18]

School Accommodation Provision

Bobby Aylward

459. 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 2018-19 academic year until a permanent solution is agreed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16412/18]

School Accommodation Provision

Bobby Aylward

460. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application by a school (details supplied) for an extension and associated building works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16413/18]

Hospital Services

Bobby Aylward

1013. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health his plans to reopen the pre-discharge unit, PDU, in Kilcreene Orthopaedic Hospital, County Kilkenny, to bring 26 beds back on stream for use as stepdown, rehabilitation or respite to alleviate congestion at St. Luke's Hospital, County Kilkenny; if the possibility of utilising the four private rooms in the PDU Kilcreene to accommodate isolation patients and in turn take high infection cases out of an acute setting at St. Luke's Hospital will be investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16656/18]

Hospital Services

Bobby Aylward

1014. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the future of Kilcreene Orthopaedic Hospital, County Kilkenny; his plans to utilise same to alleviate emergency and elective orthopaedic waiting lists in Waterford regional hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16657/18]

Nursing Staff Recruitment

Bobby Aylward

1015. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health his views on the adequacy of measures in place to recruit and retain highly skilled nurses here and abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16658/18]

Tillage Sector

Bobby Aylward

1095. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is considering derogation from the three-crop rule for 2018 due to the late planting season ruling out certain crop choices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15882/18]

GLAS Payments

Bobby Aylward

1127. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a GLAS payment for a farmer (details supplied); the reason for the delays in processing this payment, which are placing undue financial hardship on the person and the person's family and business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16454/18]

Haulage Industry

Bobby Aylward

1227. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to increase the number of non-EU work permits to allow an organisation (details supplied) to fill vacancies in the truck driving industry; the working terms and conditions of those employed in the industry with specific reference to wage structures; the position regarding the roll-out of the three-year HGV driver apprenticeship by the organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15308/18]

Motor Insurance Costs

Bobby Aylward

63. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Finance the status of the implementation of the recommendations made in the report by his Department's working group 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. [13924/18]

Departmental Staff

Bobby Aylward

52. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of additional staff who were hired or allocated to the passport office in the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13441/18]

Basic Payment Scheme Eligibility

Bobby Aylward

272. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a further review of the entitlements of a person (details supplied) will be carried out under the basic payment scheme allocated to same in 2015/2016; if an oral hearing will be held if necessary to ensure as thorough a review as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13117/18]

Departmental Communications

Bobby Aylward

273. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a confidential phone line will be established within his Department for persons with literacy or learning difficulties or that have problems with understanding or interpreting his Department's cross compliance handbook; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13118/18]

Services for People with Disabilities

Bobby Aylward

274. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied that the appointment of two access officers is sufficient in providing assistance to persons with disabilities that contact his Department; if the two access officers have received sufficient training in assisting persons with literacy or learning difficulties that may have problems with understanding or interpreting his Department's rules and regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13119/18]

Horse Racing Industry

Bobby Aylward

763. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to allegations of wrongdoing in the horse racing industry which have been referred to An Garda Síochána by the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine (details supplied); his views on his Department or the committee seeking an update from An Garda Síochána in respect of this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12913/18]

National Broadband Plan Data

Bobby Aylward

804. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of premises within the blue areas of the national broadband map that cannot access a high speed broadband connection nationally; the number of premises within the blue areas of the national broadband map that cannot access a high speed broadband connection nationally on his Department's database; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12914/18]

National Broadband Plan Data

Bobby Aylward

805. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of premises within the blue areas of the national broadband map that cannot access a high speed broadband connection in County Carlow; the number of premises within the blue areas of the national broadband map that cannot access a high speed broadband connection on his Department's database in County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12915/18]

National Broadband Plan Data

Bobby Aylward

806. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of premises within the blue areas of the national broadband map that cannot access a high speed broadband connection in County Kilkenny; the number of premises within the blue areas of the national broadband map that cannot access a high-speed broadband connection on his Department's database in County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12916/18]

Diplomatic Representation

Bobby Aylward

15. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the formal engagements with the New Zealand Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Winston Peters, that have taken place recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11496/18]

Medical Aids and Appliances Provision

Bobby Aylward

384. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the status of FreeStyle Libre in terms of its availability to children and adults on the General Medical Services, GMS, scheme and long-term illness scheme; if FreeStyle Libre is available to children using insulin pumps or insulin injections; if it is available to adults using insulin pumps or insulin injections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11495/18]

TAMS Applications

Bobby Aylward

406. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an inspection arising from a technicality which has been immediately rectified and certified under the TAMS 2 scheme for a farmer (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10994/18]

Town and Village Renewal Scheme

Bobby Aylward

529. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of applications made by local authorities under the art works in public space component of the town and village renewal scheme; when a decision will be returned to the local authorities that have made an application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11205/18]

EU Directives

Bobby Aylward

50. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Finance the status of payment service directives which govern the application of a surcharge by a trader exactly equal to the charge applied by a bank to that trader for all debit and credit card transactions under €12; his views on whether this practice is acceptable and legal under the payment services directives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10464/18]

Health and Social Care Professionals Regulation

Bobby Aylward

146. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health his views on media reports that there is a lack of appropriate regulation applied to the role of health care support assistants; if the structures and practices surrounding core issues will be examined (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10237/18]

GLAS Payments

Bobby Aylward

182. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a GLAS payment for a person (details supplied); the reason for the delays in processing this payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10238/18]

Medicinal Products

Bobby Aylward

343. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to reports emerging of potential health risks in regard to the use of an enzyme (details supplied) in the manufacturing of a vaccine. [8322/18]

Crop Losses

Bobby Aylward

455. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the possibility of re-opening the crop compensation scheme for persons that have suffered crop losses in 2017 due to adverse weather conditions has been examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8643/18]

Crop Losses

Bobby Aylward

456. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the possibility of seeking permission from the EU to establish an adverse weather scheme under the rural development programme for persons that have suffered crop losses in 2017 due to adverse weather conditions will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8644/18]

Sheep Welfare Scheme

Bobby Aylward

457. 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 view of the underspend of €5 million in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8645/18]

Regional Road Network

Bobby Aylward

38. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to rectify the significant maintenance issues with local and regional roads in counties Carlow and Kilkenny following critical under-investment in maintaining regional and local roads networks since 2012; his views on funding allocations for 2018 being far below that which is required for maintaining regional and local roads across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7632/18]

National Broadband Plan

Bobby Aylward

25. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the measures contained within the national broadband plan to ensure equality in the roll-out of broadband services in rural areas, rural communities and regional towns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7396/18]

Divorce Process

Bobby Aylward

138. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to alleviate the backlog of divorce cases to be heard by the courts; his further plans to expedite the appointment of appropriate judges to clear the backlog of divorce cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7606/18]

Rail Network Maintenance

Bobby Aylward

256. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to maintain vital rail infrastructure for the south-east region; if matters (details supplied) will be reviewed; if additional funding to secure the future of services in the south County Kilkenny area will be investigated in advance of budget 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7663/18]

Rail Services Provision

Bobby Aylward

257. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the feasibility of a reinstatement of rail services for Mullinavat, County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7664/18]

Suckler Welfare Scheme Payments

Bobby Aylward

49. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to increase the level of direct support for the suckler cow herd to €200 per cow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6667/18]

GLAS Payments

Bobby Aylward

66. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of delayed GLAS payments for 2017 to persons in counties Carlow and Kilkenny; the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6668/18]

Stamp Duty

Bobby Aylward

138. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Finance the estimated cost of reducing stamp duty on combined ATM debit cards to €0.10 per ATM withdrawal up to a maximum of €4.50 per annum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7101/18]

Garda Deployment

Bobby Aylward

271. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí in the Carlow-Kilkenny Garda division for the years ending 31 December 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7099/18]

Garda Transport Data

Bobby Aylward

272. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of vehicles in the Garda fleet for the Carlow-Kilkenny Garda division registered ten years ago and over as of 31 December 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7100/18]