Parliamentary questions

European Labour Authority

Brendan Howlin

198. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to seek the location of the new European labour authority here; the resources that will be committed to the campaign to achieve same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17026/19]

Rental Sector Strategy

Brendan Howlin

214. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the additional resources provided to each local authority to enable the implementation of new regulations on short-term lets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17024/19]

Rental Sector Strategy

Brendan Howlin

215. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the date on which the regulations on short-term lets will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17025/19]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Brendan Howlin

4. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with Mr. Donald Tusk on 19 March 2019. [13955/19]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Brendan Howlin

8. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his visit to Paris and his meeting with the French President, Mr. Emmanuel Macron on 2 April 2019. [15750/19]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Brendan Howlin

14. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with the German Chancellor, Mrs. Angela Merkel in Dublin on 4 April 2019. [15751/19]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Brendan Howlin

18. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his visit to Northern Ireland on 1 March 2019. [11462/19]

British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference

Brendan Howlin

142. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has raised with his UK counterpart the need for a summit-level British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference. [16385/19]

Financial Transactions Tax

Brendan Howlin

149. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance the position of Ireland with regard to the financial transaction tax proposed by France and Germany as a measure to bridge the EU budget gap due to Brexit and to provide for a specific eurozone budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16170/19]

Financial Transactions Tax

Brendan Howlin

150. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance the yield that would arise from a financial transaction tax based on the French model on Irish transactions levied at a rate of 0.1% on share and bond transactions and 0.01% on derivative products; the way in which the French proposal differs from the Irish stamp duty regime that applies only to share transactions on Irish incorporated companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16171/19]

Health Services Provision

Brendan Howlin

383. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health the rheumatology services available to persons in County Wexford; if he is satisfied that there is adequate community rheumatology cover to deal with the demand in the county; his views on whether there is a threat to the rheumatology services being provided for the county at Waterford Regional Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16310/19]

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Staff

Brendan Howlin

453. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health the staff complement sanctioned for Slaney House, County Wexford; if the full staff complement is in place; the hours of operation of the facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16619/19]

Radio Broadcasting

Brendan Howlin

495. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his policy towards public broadcasting on longwave radio; if he has raised with RTÉ the service provided to emigrants in the UK that utilises the longwave radio service; his plans to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16169/19]

Illness Benefit Payments

Brendan Howlin

583. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a person (details supplied) will receive an illness benefit payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16206/19]

National Museum

Brendan Howlin

657. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she has raised with the National Museum of Ireland the need for a permanent stand-alone exhibition on the Great Famine; the series of events planned for 2019 to mark the Great Famine; the funding allocated for same; her plans to mark the Great Famine; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16168/19]

Emergency Works Scheme Data

Brendan Howlin

86. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he received an application under the emergency works scheme by a school (details supplied) to provide funding to facilitate special needs pupils attending the school; if the application will be assessed and sanction issued to the school authorities as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15815/19]

Citizens' Assembly Establishment

Brendan Howlin

2. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his plans for a citizens' assembly on gender equality. [11858/19]

European Council Meetings

Brendan Howlin

10. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the European Council meeting held on 21 and 22 March 2019. [15022/19]

School Transport Provision

Brendan Howlin

159. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the assistance available for the provision of transport for a special needs child to attend a specialised preschool (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14875/19]

Mayoral Election

Brendan Howlin

597. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if it is planned that directly elected mayors will be afforded to other towns, particularly to towns that had former borough councils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15280/19]

Jobseeker's Allowance Appeals

Brendan Howlin

196. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a decision has been made on a jobseeker's allowance appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14529/19]

EU Summits

Brendan Howlin

1. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his attendance at the EU-League of Arab States summit in Egypt. [9684/19]

Public Consultation Process

Brendan Howlin

10. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the public consultations under way or planned by his Department in 2019. [11856/19]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Brendan Howlin

17. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach when he last spoke tothe British Prime Minister, Mrs. Theresa May. [11857/19]

Scéimeanna Teanga

Brendan Howlin

3. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach the status of the language scheme in his Department. [10679/19]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Brendan Howlin

7. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach when Cabinet committee B (Social Policy and Public Services) last met; and when it is scheduled to meet again. [10480/19]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Brendan Howlin

9. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach when Cabinet committee F (national security) last met. [9513/19]

Human Rights Cases

Brendan Howlin

166. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the ongoing concerns relating to the treatment of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13616/19]

School Enrolments

Brendan Howlin

332. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to address the issue of oversubscription at a school (details supplied) for the 2019 school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13222/19]

School Enrolments

Brendan Howlin

333. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to address the issue of oversubscription at a school (details supplied) for the 2019 school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13224/19]

Occupational Therapy Staff

Brendan Howlin

914. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health the action being taken to address the fact that latest figures indicate there are currently 1,429 children and young persons waiting more than two years for an appointment with an occupational therapist in County Wexford; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there has been a 40% reduction in staffing in the county in the past year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14052/19]

Disability Allowance Applications

Brendan Howlin

1321. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application for a disability allowance by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13900/19]

School Accommodation Provision

Brendan Howlin

147. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills when it is proposed to erect two new classrooms at a school (details supplied); if the immediate payment of a grant towards the cost of having the existing rooms at the school renovated will be arranged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12602/19]

Project Ireland 2040 Administration

Brendan Howlin

85. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when there will be public online access to the database, the Project Ireland 2040 investment projects and programmes tracker, maintained by his Department (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11325/19]

Community Intervention Teams

Brendan Howlin

138. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide for a community intervention team to support patients who have been discharged from Wexford General Hospital; the estimated cost to provide such a service similar to those in counties Kilkenny and Waterford; the additional staff that would be required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11323/19]

Community Intervention Teams

Brendan Howlin

139. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health the criteria for providing community intervention teams at hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11324/19]

Illness Benefit Payments

Brendan Howlin

215. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a payment for an application for an illness benefit by a person (details supplied) was not made; when a payment regarding the claim will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11345/19]

Pharmaceutical Sector

Brendan Howlin

207. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health the way in which he plans to address the issue of long-standing pharmaceutical assistants in the event of a change in rules (details supplied); if he has met with representatives of pharmaceutical assistants in formulating his views on these rule changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11183/19]

Brexit Issues

Brendan Howlin

2. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach the role of his Department in contingency planning for Brexit; and the number of meetings held since September 2018 on the issue. [9093/19]

All-Island Civic Dialogue

Brendan Howlin

7. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the all-island civic dialogue on 15 February 2019. [9092/19]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Brendan Howlin

13. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent meeting with the Portuguese Prime Minister, Mr. António Luís Santos da Costa. [9091/19]

Economic Policy

Brendan Howlin

89. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach the role of his Department in leading Ireland's participation in the annual European semester process. [9517/19]

Election Monitoring Missions

Brendan Howlin

126. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the new election observer roster is in operation; the observer missions selected from the roster to date; the missions planned for 2019; if he is satisfied that the recruitment process for the roster meets best practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10707/19]

Job Creation

Brendan Howlin

251. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation when the future jobs strategy will be published. [9518/19]

Community Welfare Services Provision

Brendan Howlin

529. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the community welfare service at the Intreo centre at Bishop’s Square is moving from being a walk-in service to appointment only; the reasons for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10262/19]

Rent Supplement Scheme Data

Brendan Howlin

530. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of recipients of rent supplement in each of the years 2011 to 2018 and to date in 2019, by county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10277/19]

Local Authority Housing Waiting Lists

Brendan Howlin

575. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of persons on each local authority housing waiting list by single adults and those with children, respectively, by local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10263/19]

Housing Assistance Payment Data

Brendan Howlin

576. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of persons in receipt of the housing assistance payment in each year since it was introduced by local authority; the annual figure spent for each county; the projected spend in 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10278/19]

Appointments to State Boards

Brendan Howlin

1. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the State boards and agencies that civil servants from his Department are appointed to. [7901/19]

Appointments to State Boards

Brendan Howlin

6. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent engagements with the National Economic and Social Council. [9516/19]

Departmental Websites

Brendan Howlin

8. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his Department’s new website; and the person or body responsible for updating it. [8222/19]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Brendan Howlin

13. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach the number and type of Cabinet committee meetings held since January 2019. [9514/19]

Election Monitoring Missions

Brendan Howlin

105. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if there is a facility for persons with a disability to act as election observers; if the competition run by his Department to select observers encompasses persons with a disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9615/19]

Biofuel Availability

Brendan Howlin

267. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if the European Commission is controlling the importation of biofuels specifically biodiesel from Argentina; if Irish and other EU manufacturers of biofuels are at a competitive disadvantage due to EU levies on domestic biodiesel; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9131/19]

Home Care Packages Provision

Brendan Howlin

301. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health when an application for a home care package by a person (details supplied) will be processed to completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9052/19]

Drug and Alcohol Task Forces

Brendan Howlin

332. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health the additional funding that will be made available to drug task forces and community drugs projects in 2019, by project; if an emerging needs fund will be established; the additional funding available in 2019 for same; the additional funding made available to implement the national drugs strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9249/19]

Bus Services

Brendan Howlin

538. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the plans of the National Transport Authority and Dublin Bus to alleviate customer congestion on bus services from Bray and Greystones to Dublin city along the N11 corridor; if the NTA and Dublin Bus will provide additional bus services on the 84x route; if an additional three buses will be provided on the service in the morning during rush hour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9250/19]

Illness Benefit Applications

Brendan Howlin

599. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason an application for illness benefit by a person (details supplied) has been refused; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9133/19]

Departmental Operations

Brendan Howlin

1. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the social policy and public service reform division of his Department. [5375/19]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Brendan Howlin

5. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent meetings with church leaders. [6510/19]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Brendan Howlin

11. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach if Cabinet committee D, infrastructure, met on 31 January 2019. [8225/19]

Referendum Campaigns

Brendan Howlin

57. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to hold referendums in 2019. [4260/19]

Tender Process

Brendan Howlin

81. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the status of the tender process for the replacement of the CASA maritime patrol aircraft; when it is expected that a preferred aircraft will be identified; the sum of money allocated for the replacement in the 2019 Estimates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8581/19]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Brendan Howlin

3. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his most recent telephone conversation with the British Prime Minister, Mrs. Theresa May. [5373/19]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Brendan Howlin

8. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with the British Prime Minister, Mrs. Theresa May on 8 February 2019. [7902/19]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Howlin

18. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent visit to Northern Ireland and the parties he met. [7900/19]

Departmental Operations

Brendan Howlin

21. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the economic division of his Department. [5374/19]

Departmental Operations

Brendan Howlin

24. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach when Cabinet committee A on the economy last met; and when it is expected to next meet. [8224/19]

National Lottery Funding Disbursement

Brendan Howlin

176. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if there is an annual report detailing the distribution of moneys from the national lottery fund; the way in which these funds are apportioned; if he is satisfied that there are clear guidelines within each Department for the processing of grant applications from the fund from county groups and others; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8210/19]

School Accommodation Provision

Brendan Howlin

227. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 245 of 5 February 2019, the status of the requirement for a new primary school and secondary school in Gorey, County Wexford; and if the project is under examination and can proceed during the four-year period 2019 to 2022. [8020/19]

Road Projects Status

Brendan Howlin

553. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the final route will be selected for the Oylegate to Rosslare Europort section of the M11; when this road link will commence construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7987/19]

Seanad Reform

Brendan Howlin

1. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach the status of the report submitted to him on 21 December 2018 by the Seanad Reform Implementation Group. [4261/19]

Programme for Government Review

Brendan Howlin

3. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach his plans to review and extend A Programme for a Partnership Government. [4262/19]

Brexit Preparations

Brendan Howlin

9. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach the number of additional staff recruited in his Department to assist with Brexit preparedness. [6511/19]

Visa Applications

Brendan Howlin

102. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he is satisfied with the time taken to process visitor visas for persons coming here for business reasons; the average expected time between receipt of the application and decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7227/19]

Urban Renewal Schemes

Brendan Howlin

4. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach when he last met with the Dublin inner city forum. [5351/19]

Programme for Government

Brendan Howlin

6. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach the supports provided by his Department to the Independent Alliance and those supporting the Government. [5352/19]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Brendan Howlin

10. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his most recent contacts with the Presidents of the EU Council and EU Commission. [5353/19]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Brendan Howlin

16. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his visit to Brussels on 6 February 2019 and the meetings he held and the officials he met. [6512/19]

Air Quality

Brendan Howlin

580. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to the extent to which air pollutants have been identified at the air quality monitoring station in Enniscorthy, County Wexford; the action he will take in response to increases in air pollution in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6747/19]

Disability Allowance Appeals

Brendan Howlin

705. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status an application for a disability allowance by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6358/19]

Economic Sanctions

Brendan Howlin

56. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has been contacted by the ambassador of Cuba on the proposed imminent implementation of title 3 of the Helms-Burton Act; the response of the EU to this development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6168/19]

Commemorative Events

Brendan Howlin

213. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the role of her Department in the planning for State commemorations from 2019 to 2023. [5376/19]

Departmental Priorities

Brendan Howlin

1. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the priorities of his Department in 2019. [2738/19]

Departmental Staff

Brendan Howlin

4. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach the number of politically appointed staff in his Department. [2740/19]

World Economic Forum

Brendan Howlin

7. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his attendance at the World Economic Forum in Davos. [3860/19]

Schools Establishment

Brendan Howlin

245. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether land at a location (details supplied) could be purchased for the construction of new schools in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5452/19]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Brendan Howlin

2. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his engagement with the DUP on Brexit over the past six months. [2546/19]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Brendan Howlin

7. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach when Cabinet committee C (European Union including Brexit) last met. [3861/19]

Departmental Operations

Brendan Howlin

11. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the international, European Union and Northern Ireland division of his Department. [3862/19]

Constitutional Amendments

Brendan Howlin

75. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to hold referendums in 2019. [4260/19]

Election Monitoring Missions

Brendan Howlin

81. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department operates a national roster for international election observation; the way in which the roster is drawn up; his plans to observe elections in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4523/19]

Commencement of Legislation

Brendan Howlin

130. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the sections of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 not yet commenced will be commenced; if the decision support service is now in operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4631/19]

Legislative Programme

Brendan Howlin

2. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach his legislative priorities for 2019; and his plans for emergency Brexit legislation. [1547/19]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Brendan Howlin

5. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach when Cabinet committee D, infrastructure, last met; and when it will next meet. [1549/19]

Common Travel Area

Brendan Howlin

41. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of negotiations with the United Kingdom relating to the preservation of the benefits of the common travel area in terms of residency, right to work, access to public services and the right to vote; if the necessary preparations will be in place by the end of March 2019; if Irish citizens resident in the UK need to take action before the end of March 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4371/19]

Superannuation Schemes

Brendan Howlin

557. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the provisions of the Public Service Superannuation (Age of Retirement) Act 2018 will be applied to supervisors of community employment schemes and other activation and community programmes funded by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3908/19]

Superannuation Schemes

Brendan Howlin

558. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of community employment scheme supervisors who have sought permission to stay in employment beyond the age of 66 years as provided for other public servants under the Public Service Superannuation (Age of Retirement) Act 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3909/19]

Superannuation Schemes

Brendan Howlin

559. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of community employment scheme supervisors who are aged 65 years or over; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3910/19]

Superannuation Schemes

Brendan Howlin

560. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of participants on community employment schemes over 60 years of age by year in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3911/19]