Parliamentary questions

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Billy Kelleher

122. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills if consistent access to a multidisciplinary team, particularly a behaviour support specialist, for all special schools will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52418/18]

Special Educational Needs Staff

Billy Kelleher

123. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an administrative deputy principal will be appointed in all special schools with eight teachers which equates to a minimum staff of 32 in view of the fact that mainstream national schools with five or more special classes and no specified enrolment number can be allocated an administrative deputy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52419/18]

Special Educational Needs Staff

Billy Kelleher

124. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to remedy a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52420/18]

Special Educational Needs Staff

Billy Kelleher

125. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills if consideration will be given to allocating full-time nursing support to special schools with pupils with complex medical needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52421/18]

Special Educational Needs Staff

Billy Kelleher

129. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to remove the requirement to take SNAs from panels for special schools in view of the fact that they may not have the necessary skill set, knowledge and relevant experience that is sought through the usual recruitment process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52481/18]

Teachers' Professional Development

Billy Kelleher

130. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to ensure that there is continuing professional development specifically for various types of special schools for both teachers and SNAs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52482/18]

Special Educational Needs Staff

Billy Kelleher

131. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the measures he will take to tackle the high levels of absenteeism among staff due to the lack of support available in special schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52483/18]

Special Educational Needs Staff

Billy Kelleher

132. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to resolve the inconsistency in the way in which the allocation of part-time specialist teachers and or hours are sanctioned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52484/18]

Skills Shortages

Billy Kelleher

5. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps being taken to cater for the shortage of skilled labour in the agricultural sector and the competitiveness issues arising if unaddressed. [51188/18]

Skills Shortages

Billy Kelleher

58. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to address the labour and skills shortages in the agricultural sector; and the way in which this deficit will be met in order to reach Foods Wise 2025 targets. [51187/18]

Hospital Services

Billy Kelleher

104. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the actions the HSE will take to enable the Mercy University Hospital regain accreditation for carrying out colonoscopies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50707/18]

Employment Data

Billy Kelleher

52. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the regional spread of additional jobs added in the 12 months to quarter 3 of 2018 indicated by the latest labour force survey. [50767/18]

Insurance Costs

Billy Kelleher

54. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the steps being taken to reduce the excessive sums awarded for whiplash compensation claims in view of the latest data published by the Personal Injuries Assessment Board, PIAB. [50768/18]

Departmental Investigations

Billy Kelleher

56. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to publish an account of the investigative failures identified by a person (details supplied); the steps being taken to address them emanating from the trial of a person; and the action points committed to in the report, Measures to Enhance Ireland's Corporate, Economic and Regulatory Framework, published in November 2017. [50769/18]

National Development Plan Data

Billy Kelleher

84. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the decision-making process for funding applications when it comes to the new disruptive technologies innovation fund that is part of the National Development Plan 2018-2027. [50501/18]

Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement Investigations

Billy Kelleher

86. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation when she plans to publish an account of the investigative failures identified by a judge and the steps being taken to address them emanating from the trial of a person (details supplied); and the status of action points committed to in the report "Measures to Enhance Ireland's Corporate, Economic and Regulatory Framework" that was published in November 2017. [50499/18]

IDA Ireland Data

Billy Kelleher

94. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the status of regional IDA site visits in addition to vacant IDA properties nationwide in 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50502/18]

Employment Investment Incentive Scheme

Billy Kelleher

164. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 114 of 29 November 2017, the estimated cost of adapting the employment investment incentive scheme (details supplied) in tabular form. [50841/18]

Unified Patent Court

Billy Kelleher

268. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the timeframe for holding a referendum on the implementation of the unified patent court; the impact Brexit will have on the implementation of same; if the agreement will require renegotiation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50085/18]

IDA Ireland

Billy Kelleher

272. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the report regarding an agency (details supplied) under her remit. [50267/18]

Disability Services Provision

Billy Kelleher

300. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and psychological services will be provided to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50120/18]

Post Office Closures

Billy Kelleher

551. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of permanent, part-time and seasonal workers, respectively, who would be made redundant with regard to the proposal to close one of the four An Post mail centres by centre; the number and categories of staff that will be relocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50236/18]

Tax Data

Billy Kelleher

63. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Finance the cost in a full year based on latest data for a proposal (details supplied). [49914/18]

Departmental Operations

Billy Kelleher

78. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Finance the progress to date for each of the action points made in the report Measures to Enhance Ireland's Corporate, Economic and Regulatory Framework published in November 2017 that fall under his remit; if each such action point has been completed, not completed or is ongoing, respectively; and the revised deadlines for action points not delivered by the original timeframes in tabular form. [50035/18]

Departmental Operations

Billy Kelleher

123. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date for each of the action points made in the report Measures to Enhance Ireland's Corporate, Economic and Regulatory Framework published in November 2017 that fall under his remit; if each such action point has been completed, not completed or is ongoing, respectively; and the revised deadlines for action points not delivered by the original timeframes in tabular form. [50036/18]

National Planning Framework

Billy Kelleher

126. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if forecasting and modelling of labour market participation rates have been carried out; and if employment forecasting and modelling to cater for Project Ireland 2040 population projections for the next 20 years has been carried out. [50033/18]

Skills Development

Billy Kelleher

127. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the lifelong learning targets to be achieved. [50034/18]

Employment Data

Billy Kelleher

128. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of persons as a percentage classified as underemployed out of the number employed in each of the years 2005 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [50040/18]

Enterprise Data

Billy Kelleher

129. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of enterprises here by firm size (details supplied); the percentage in each category as a proportion of total enterprises; and the number of employees in each such firm size category based on the latest CSO data in tabular form. [50041/18]

European Globalisation Fund

Billy Kelleher

130. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if she has corresponded with the Minister for Education and Skills regarding whether he has prepared or has completed a formal application to the EU Commission seeking an adaptation to the European globalisation adjustment fund to enable it to ensure exposed enterprises can avail of grant aid due to the economic fallout of Brexit. [50042/18]

Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility

Billy Kelleher

233. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 611 of 20 November 2018, if 340,000 self-employed contributors will be eligible for jobseeker’s benefit when introduced in late 2019; if not, the estimated number of eligible contributors that will join; the reason the number quoted in her Budget 2019 departmental press release indicated a much smaller figure (details supplied); the estimated cost of extending the benefit in 2019; and the full year to cost of extending this benefit. [50037/18]

Social Insurance

Billy Kelleher

234. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost of extending carers and illness benefit to eligible self-employed class S PRSI contributors in 2019; and the full year cost of extending these benefits, in tabular form. [50038/18]

Urban Development

Billy Kelleher

246. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount announced in budget 2019 for the urban regeneration and development fund in 2019 to fund a number of initial projects. [50039/18]

Employment Investment Incentive Scheme Data

Billy Kelleher

122. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Finance the number of participants in the employment and investment incentive scheme in each of the years 2011 to 2017 and to date in 2018 in tabular form. [49764/18]

Employment Investment Incentive Scheme Data

Billy Kelleher

123. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Finance the estimated cost in a full year based on latest data at hand of adapting the employment and investment incentive by measures (details supplied) in tabular form, [49765/18]

Employment Investment Incentive Scheme Data

Billy Kelleher

124. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Finance the estimated cost in a full year based on latest data at hand of adapting the employment and investment incentive by a proposal (details supplied) in tabular form. [49766/18]

Tax Code

Billy Kelleher

125. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Finance the separate estimated costs in a full year of adapting the research and development tax credit regime by proposals (details supplied). [49767/18]

Foreign Earnings Deduction

Billy Kelleher

126. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Finance the estimated cost in a full year based on latest data at hand of a proposal (details supplied). [49768/18]

Knowledge Development Box

Billy Kelleher

127. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Finance his plans to retain the knowledge development box beyond its scheduled sunset date of 31 December 2020; and the annual cost of this scheme. [49769/18]

Tax Reliefs Costs

Billy Kelleher

128. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Finance the estimated cost in a full year based on latest data of a proposal (details supplied) in tabular form. [49770/18]

Tax Credits

Billy Kelleher

129. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Finance the estimated cost in a full year based on latest data at hand of a proposal (details supplied). [49771/18]

Youth Employment Initiative

Billy Kelleher

228. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills to set out the annual amount allocated to Ireland under the youth employment initiative in each year since it commenced; the amount that was expended in each year subsequently and to date in 2018; the projects that have been allocated funding in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48876/18]

Youth Employment Initiative

Billy Kelleher

229. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills to set out the annual amount allocated to Ireland under the European Social Fund education and training ErasmusPro and the Youth Employment Initiative budgets for 2014 to 2018 by employment and training, apprenticeships of young persons; and the amount that was expended in each of the areas in each of the years 2014 to 2017 and to date in 2018. [48877/18]

Skills Development

Billy Kelleher

230. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills to set out the number of businesses that availed of enterprise training, workforce learning and upskilling services from Skillnet Ireland in each of the years 2010 to 2017 and to date in 2018; the breakdown in participation in percentage terms by firm size (details supplied); the annual allocation to Skillnet Ireland in each of the years 2010 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and the amount announced in budget 2019 in tabular form. [48942/18]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Billy Kelleher

259. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills if consideration will be given to extending the school year for children with special needs (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49173/18]

Proposed Legislation

Billy Kelleher

322. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the 2019 allocation for the future growth loan scheme in view of the fact that the explanatory memo to the European Investment Fund Agreement Bill 2018 indicates the cost will be €62 million over a five year period. [48901/18]

Brexit Supports

Billy Kelleher

323. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of applicants and participants in all Brexit schemes and supports provided by her Department or agencies under her remit; the amount allocated and expended to each such scheme in each year since being established in tabular form. [48903/18]

Brexit Supports

Billy Kelleher

324. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of firms that have applied for working capital under the Brexit loan scheme; the number of firms that have been sanctioned financing to date; and the value of same. [48875/18]

Trade Agreements

Billy Kelleher

325. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the status of discussions at EU level following the agreement between the United States of America Administration and the European Commission in July 2018 to commence trade negotiations focused on industrial goods; the sectors that will be included and excluded, respectively in these negotiations; and if she has communicated sectors that should not be included in such negotiations to the Commission. [48878/18]

Hospital Staff Recruitment

Billy Kelleher

409. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when the paediatric endocrinologist post at Cork University Hospital will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49120/18]

Proposed Legislation

Billy Kelleher

469. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the 2019 allocation for the future growth loan scheme in view of the fact that the explanatory memo to the European Investment Fund Agreement Bill 2018 indicates that the cost will be €62 million over a five-year period. [48902/18]

Broadband Service Provision

Billy Kelleher

495. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a school (details supplied) can be included on the fibre broadband line being installed in the area; if not, the date for the roll-out of high-speed broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49294/18]

Córas Iompair Éireann

Billy Kelleher

504. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that CIÉ superannuated pensions have not increased in eight years; his views on whether this should be addressed; and if so, the way in which and when this deficiency will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48927/18]

Departmental Funding

Billy Kelleher

89. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the funding allocation to the regional skills fora in 2018 and 2019. [48795/18]

Departmental Data

Billy Kelleher

109. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of young persons aged between 15 and 29 years classified as not in employment, education or training; the percentage as a proportion of the number of unemployed; the corresponding EU average rate in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48791/18]

Brexit Issues

Billy Kelleher

110. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the contingencies in place for trading enterprises in the transport and haulage sector in the event of a no deal Brexit; and if she has had discussions with the EU Commission and the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport regarding flexibility in relation to state aid thresholds for trading enterprises using port facilities to transport goods to continental Europe or via the UK land bridge in such an event. [48792/18]

Brexit Issues

Billy Kelleher

113. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the meetings she has held with accountancy bodies regarding Brexit and its potential impact on audit and accountancy; and the number of such meetings to date. [48794/18]

Medicinal Products Availability

Billy Kelleher

133. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when a decision will issue in relation to Translarna; and if the HSE will reimburse Translarna for the five boys who require same. [48697/18]

Medicinal Products Reimbursement

Billy Kelleher

134. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if the recent application submitted for Translarna came before the technology review committee for rare diseases. [48698/18]

Medicinal Products Reimbursement

Billy Kelleher

135. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if there will be engagement with or inclusion of patient representation as part of the assessment process for Translarna. [48699/18]

Medicinal Products Reimbursement

Billy Kelleher

136. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if the assessment process for orphan drugs has changed. [48700/18]

Medicinal Products Reimbursement

Billy Kelleher

137. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his plans to revise the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013 to allow for a different and unique rule set to specifically apply when assessing orphan drugs in view of the fact that the current assessment process for orphan drugs is not fit for purpose. [48701/18]

Jobs Protection

Billy Kelleher

316. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the steps she is taking to protect jobs in Russian owned companies based here that may be threatened by increased tariffs and trade sanctions; and the discussions she has had with officials from the United States of America administration in this regard. [47880/18]

Services for People with Disabilities

Billy Kelleher

347. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when a full-time dedicated social worker will be appointed to a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47729/18]

Services for People with Disabilities

Billy Kelleher

348. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied with the breakdown of the multidisciplinary team for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47730/18]

Broadband Service Provision

Billy Kelleher

529. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a person (details supplied) will be included on the fibre broadband line being installed in an area; if not, the date for the roll-out of high speed broadband for the person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47732/18]

Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility

Billy Kelleher

611. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of self-employed persons on class S PRSI contributions that will be eligible for social welfare benefits (details supplied) in 2019. [47881/18]

Banking Licence Applications

Billy Kelleher

61. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Finance the status of the approval process for a pan-European savings platform (details supplied) to receive access to the Irish market and provide consumers with increased savings rates. [47655/18]

Personal Injury Claims

Billy Kelleher

62. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Finance if reports (details supplied) will be clarified regarding plans to hold a referendum in a bid to override the discretion of judges in the awarding of compensation claims should no reduction in damages occur within the next two years. [47660/18]

Brexit Supports

Billy Kelleher

99. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Question No. 113 of 8 November 2018, the schemes that are being developed between her Department, the Directorate General for Competition and the Directorate General for Agriculture and Rural Development on the development of schemes that do not fall under the general block exemption regulation; if these schemes will be operational before 29 March 2019; and if Exchequer funding will be required. [47650/18]

Brexit Supports

Billy Kelleher

100. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of participants on the rescue and restructuring scheme since it was established, in tabular form; and the amount drawn down to date. [47651/18]

Personal Injury Claims

Billy Kelleher

101. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the latest whiplash data published by the Personal Injuries Assessment Board. [47652/18]

Tax Code

Billy Kelleher

102. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the latest European Commission proposals for a digital sales tax; and the steps being taken to protect Irish interests. [47653/18]

Economic Competitiveness

Billy Kelleher

103. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her views on Ireland's continued fall in the rankings of an organisation (details supplied) for the ease of doing business across 190 economies. [47656/18]

Departmental Funding

Billy Kelleher

104. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Question No. 205 of 25 October 2018, the reason there has been such a drop in companies participating in the 2013 to 2018 scheme compared to the 2007 to 2012 programme; and if there will be a successor programme to cover the 2019 to 2023 period. [47657/18]

Retail Sector

Billy Kelleher

105. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if the new online retail scheme administered by Enterprise Ireland will be made available to Irish-owned micro-sized firms with fewer than ten employees in the retail sector in order to enhance their online presence. [47658/18]

Business Regulation

Billy Kelleher

106. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the progress to date for each of the action points made in the report Measures to Enhance Ireland's Corporate, Economic and Regulatory Framework, published in November 2017; if each such action point has been completed, not completed or is ongoing, respectively; and the revised deadlines for action points not delivered by the original timeframes, in tabular form. [47659/18]

Meat Processing Plant Inspections

Billy Kelleher

149. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied with his Department's inspection system in meat factories; if the grading of cattle in the quality assurance scheme is independently validated; if the calibration of grading equipment is regularly inspected to ensure farmers are receiving the correct grades; if his Department has sufficient inspectors overseeing same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47476/18]

Brexit Supports

Billy Kelleher

157. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 194 of 8 November 2018, the details of EU agricultural state aid rules and regulations in question; and the ceilings that apply for each regulation. [47649/18]

Broadband Service Provision

Billy Kelleher

171. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the date for the roll-out of high-speed broadband for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47523/18]

Youth Employment Initiative

Billy Kelleher

218. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason the new youth employment support scheme does not provide for employer payment top-up; and the breakdown of national and EU funding in this regard. [47654/18]

Employment Data

Billy Kelleher

132. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Taoiseach the number of persons on a wage at or below the minimum wage level by gender and age. [46378/18]

Bord na Móna

Billy Kelleher

291. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the actions she has taken to protect jobs at Bord na Móna and put supports in place for employees that will be made redundant on a voluntary basis; if she has spoken with the management of the company regarding these job losses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46517/18]

Motor Insurance Costs

Billy Kelleher

292. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the progress to date for each of the 71 action points made in the cost of insurance working group report on motor insurance published in January 2017, in which her Department or the Personal Injuries Assessment Board, PIAB, had lead responsibility for implementation, in tabular form; if each such action point has been completed, not completed or is ongoing; and the revised deadlines for action points not delivered by original timelines committed. [46553/18]

Insurance Costs

Billy Kelleher

293. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the progress to date for each of the 29 action points made in the cost of insurance working group report on the cost of employer and public liability insurance published in January 2018, in which her Department or the PIAB has lead responsibility for implementation, in tabular form; if each such action point has been completed, not completed or is ongoing; and the revised deadlines for action points not delivered by original timelines committed. [46554/18]

Services for People with Disabilities

Billy Kelleher

337. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if a review will be carried out on the request to secure independent living for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46629/18]

Springboard Programme

Billy Kelleher

84. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the criteria for entry requirements to access Springboard+ courses; if there are courses specifically aimed at persons who are underemployed; the courses available for lifelong learning programmes; and the specific courses targeting skills shortages in sectors. [46380/18]

Skills Development

Billy Kelleher

85. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the participation rate in lifelong learning in each of the years 2014 to 2017 and to date in 2018; the EU average rate for same based on latest data in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46381/18]

National Digital Strategy

Billy Kelleher

86. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the percentage of persons in the labour force who have basic or above basic digital skills based on the latest available data; the corresponding EU average rate for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46382/18]

National Digital Strategy

Billy Kelleher

87. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the percentage of persons in employment that have basic or above basic digital skills based on the latest available data; the corresponding EU average rate in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46383/18]

Apprenticeship Data

Billy Kelleher

88. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of new consortia led apprenticeship programmes forecasted under the action plan to expand apprenticeship and traineeship in Ireland in each of the years 2016 to 2020; and the numbers realised (details supplied) for these targets in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018 for these new consortia led apprenticeship programmes in tabular form. [46388/18]

Personal Contract Plans

Billy Kelleher

111. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the recommendation (details supplied) on the state of regulation of personal contract plans, PCPs, that the consumer protection code should apply to PCPs and that PCP providers should have to check the financial capacity of consumers before offering such contracts; if not, the reason therefore; and if she or her officials have had discussions with the Department of Finance and the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission regarding this recommendation. [46367/18]

IDA Ireland Site Visits

Billy Kelleher

112. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of IDA site visits in each county in quarter 1, 2 and 3 of 2018, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46368/18]

Brexit Supports

Billy Kelleher

113. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of meetings that have taken place to date since the formation of the working group comprising representatives from the Directorate General for Competition, her Department, Enterprise Ireland and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to scope and design schemes to support enterprises impacted by Brexit in line with state aid rules; the dates of all such meetings; the remaining meetings planned for 2018 and Q1 2019; the progression on new potential schemes that fall within state aid rules and their operational date; if she or Enterprise Ireland have submitted or discussed proposals in the forum requesting that the state aid ceiling under EU Regulation No. 1407/2013 be temporally adapted as a policy response to protect Irish companies and exporting businesses exposed to a no-deal hard Brexit and the UK becoming a third country; and when such proposals were formally submitted. [46369/18]

White Collar Crime

Billy Kelleher

114. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the report, Regulatory Powers and Corporate Offences, by an organisation (details supplied); her plans to implement the recommendations of this report including the proposal to set up a corporate crime agency; the estimated impact this will have on the work of the ODCE; and if her Departmental officials met with the ODCE to discuss the matter. [46371/18]

Skills Shortages

Billy Kelleher

115. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if a sectorial analysis has been carried out of skills shortages in the economy for the next 5, 10, 15 and 20 year period; the impact skills shortages are having on competitiveness levels here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46372/18]

Departmental Staff Data

Billy Kelleher

116. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of civil servants in her Department by grade who are specifically allocated to work in the economic migration policy unit (details supplied). [46373/18]

Programme for Government Initiatives

Billy Kelleher

117. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the regional job targets and unemployment rate projections under A Programme for a Partnership Government for 2020 and Enterprise 2025, by year and region; the latest figures relating to these targets; the monitoring and reporting mechanisms in place; her job targets up to 2020, by region in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46374/18]

Gender Balance

Billy Kelleher

118. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if she is satisfied with the latest female participation rate in the labour force here compared with the EU rate; if she has carried out an analysis of this area; and the actions being taken to increase the rate. [46376/18]

Economic Competitiveness

Billy Kelleher

119. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if she is satisfied with Ireland’s rankings in the 2018 global competitiveness report published by the World Economic Forum on 17 October 2018. [46384/18]