Parliamentary questions

Artists' Remuneration

Joan Burton

23. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to ensure a fair and equitable working wage for persons working in the arts, culture and heritage sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37911/19]

British-Irish Council

Joan Burton

4. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the recent meeting of the British-Irish Council. [29954/19]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Joan Burton

1. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Taoiseach the number of times Cabinet committee A, economy, has met to date in 2019. [27940/19]

Departmental Policy Reviews

Joan Burton

7. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Taoiseach if the policy of his Department with respect to social media has been updated. [28220/19]

Good Friday Agreement

Joan Burton

89. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department has examined or commissioned a cost profile of the likely costs of a united Ireland. [36416/19]

Adoption Records Provision

Joan Burton

598. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the restrictions now being placed on adopted persons that are tracing information on their birth families and particularly birth parents; her views on the policy of refusing to give identifying information in respect of birth parents particularly birth mothers on the grounds that this is in contravention of GDPR rules; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37158/19]

Adoption Legislation

Joan Burton

599. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her Department has received counsel from the European Commission in respect of refusing to give identifying information in respect of birth parents to adopted persons that are tracing; her views on whether adopted persons should have access to all of their own information and the full details included on all files in public records relating to their birth, care and adoption; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37159/19]

Brexit Preparations

Joan Burton

12. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of additional Army personnel he plans to assign to the border with the UK for preparedness for the forthcoming departure of the UK from the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36014/19]

Brexit Preparations

Joan Burton

13. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of Army personnel he plans to assign to the border with the UK if there is an agreement with the UK by 31 October 2019 and in the event of a no-deal Brexit, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36015/19]

Brexit Expenditure

Joan Burton

14. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the cost to date in 2019 and the expected cost in 2019 to his Department of expenses payable to staff being relocated to work in respect of the border with the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36016/19]

Debt Repayments

Joan Burton

99. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the repayment schedule for bilateral loans to the UK; the capital amount repaid to date by transaction; the amount outstanding; if the repayments are made in sterling or euro; the cost to date in euro of each repayment in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35411/19]

Debt Repayments

Joan Burton

100. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the cost in euro of each sterling interest repayment to date on bilateral loans from the UK; the applicable interest rate in each case; the projected interest costs for the remainder of 2019 and in 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35412/19]

Debt Repayments

Joan Burton

101. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the projected savings in 2019 and 2020 respectively to date on repayments on loans to the UK due to the fall in the value of sterling by interest and capital amounts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35413/19]

Revenue Commissioners Staff

Joan Burton

125. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the number of additional Revenue Commissioners staff assigned to the Border with the UK in respect of preparedness for the forthcoming departure of the UK from the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36005/19]

Revenue Commissioners Staff

Joan Burton

126. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the number of Revenue Commissioners staff he plans to assign to the Border with the UK to work on counter-smuggling operations if there is an agreement with the UK by 31 October 2019 and in the event of a no-deal Brexit, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36006/19]

Revenue Commissioners Staff

Joan Burton

127. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance if land or premises within 30 km of the Border with the UK for customs checks has been leased or purchased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36007/19]

Revenue Commissioners Staff

Joan Burton

128. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the cost to date in 2019 and expected cost in 2019 to the Revenue Commissioners of expenses payable to staff being relocated to work in respect of the Border with the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36008/19]

Real Estate Investment Trusts

Joan Burton

129. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the estimated number of real estate investment trusts here; and the estimated number of properties in the portfolios of such real estate investment trusts. [36029/19]

Real Estate Investment Trusts

Joan Burton

130. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance his plans to review the corporate tax arrangements in respect of real estate investment trusts; the level of corporation tax that applies to such entities; the rate of effective corporation tax paid by such entities; his plans to commission a study of the REIT model in terms of its appropriate contribution to taxation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36030/19]

Departmental Budgets

Joan Burton

206. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the expected cost overrun in the health budget for 2019; his plans to address the cost overrun in Budget 2020 or via Supplementary Estimates by year end; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36031/19]

Departmental Budgets

Joan Burton

207. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his attention has been drawn to the cost overruns in respect of the senior care centres programme; if he has met with his counterpart in the Department of Health to discuss the matter; his plans to ensure senior care centres will not be closed due to budgetary issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36032/19]

School Funding

Joan Burton

413. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary and post-primary schools, respectively, that require parents to pay voluntary contributions. [36002/19]

School Funding

Joan Burton

414. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to end the practice of voluntary contributions in primary and post-primary schools; his plans to appropriately fund primary and post-primary schools to end the need to ask for money from parents to meet funding shortfalls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36003/19]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Joan Burton

415. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the schools issued with a notice pursuant to section 37A(5)(a) of the Education Act 1998 in the Dublin 7 and 15 areas; his plans to provide additional resources to the schools that have agreed to provide additional ASD spaces; his plans to meet the schools in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36026/19]

Schools Building Projects

Joan Burton

502. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the costs to date of the remediation work at schools affected by structural defects in an area (details supplied) and at other schools in the area; the estimated remedial costs upon completion of works; the estimated date of completion; the legal costs to date; the estimated legal costs of cases being taken against contractors deemed responsible for defects in construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36777/19]

Schools Building Projects

Joan Burton

503. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills if all documentation processed concerning the serious defects in schools built in an area (details supplied) will be provided; if legal proceedings have been issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36778/19]

Schools Building Projects

Joan Burton

504. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills if all documentation processed concerning the serious defects in the school building at a school (details supplied) will be provided; if legal proceedings have been issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36779/19]

Schools Building Projects

Joan Burton

505. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills if all documentation processed concerning the serious defects in a school building (details supplied) will be provided; if legal proceedings have been issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36780/19]

Schools Building Projects Status

Joan Burton

506. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress of the building of a permanent school on the Phoenix Park racecourse site for a college (details supplied); when construction of the new permanent school building will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36781/19]

Maternity Services Provision

Joan Burton

1157. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health the progress made to date in respect of the proposed transfer of the Rotunda Maternity Hospital to Blanchardstown, Dublin 15; the expected date on which the transfer is due to commence; the expected date for the completion of the transfer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36036/19]

Maternity Services Provision

Joan Burton

1158. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health the expected costs of the transfer of the Rotunda Maternity Hospital to Blanchardstown, Dublin 15; if the costs have been included in the budget forecasting of his Department; if he expects the Rotunda Maternity Hospital to contribute from its respective budget to the cost of the transfer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36037/19]

Care of the Elderly Provision

Joan Burton

1159. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the cost overruns in respect of the senior care centres programme; if an assessment has been carried out of the likely impact of cost overruns on the senior care centres programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36038/19]

Care of the Elderly Provision

Joan Burton

1160. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the serious shortage of beds in the Dublin 15 area for older persons in need of both step-down care and nursing home care; his plans to provide adequate care for older persons in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36039/19]

Care of the Elderly Provision

Joan Burton

1161. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health the healthcare facilities at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown available to older persons that need nursing home care and in need of specialised step-down care; the number of beds including step-down care beds available to older persons in need of such care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36040/19]

Care of the Elderly Provision

Joan Burton

1162. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the proposed 100-bed senior care centre on the grounds of Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown; if cost overruns will have an impact on the proposed 100-bed senior care centre; if so, the impact in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36041/19]

Care of the Elderly Provision

Joan Burton

1163. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health if the senior care centre at Woodlands on the Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown campus has been closed; his plans for an alternative use of the Woodlands building and complex; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36042/19]

Care of the Elderly Provision

Joan Burton

1164. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health the number of step-down care beds and long-term residential care beds, respectively at St Mary’s Hospital in the Phoenix Park. [36043/19]

Care of the Elderly Provision

Joan Burton

1165. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health the senior care centres available to older persons in the Dublin 15 and Navan Road areas in tabular form; the name of each institution that provides either day care or long-term residential care and respite care; the location of each of these facilities; and the number of beds available in each facility. [36044/19]

Care of the Elderly Provision

Joan Burton

1166. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health the amount of capital investment proposed in respect of each senior care centre by county in tabular form. [36045/19]

Blind Welfare Allowance Data

Joan Burton

1167. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of the blind welfare allowance in 2019. [36047/19]

Blind Welfare Allowance Eligibility

Joan Burton

1168. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health his plans to taper the withdrawal of the blind welfare allowance in circumstances in which a blind person takes up employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36048/19]

Energy Conservation

Joan Burton

1520. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the deep retrofit pilot grant programme; when he expects the completion of the evaluation of the programme; his plans to assist those wishing to refurbish their homes to make them as energy efficient and environmentally friendly as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36034/19]

Adoption Data

Joan Burton

1715. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of adoption records identified by her Department that may be false and-or misleading, including illegal registration of births; her plans to hold a full-scale audit of adoption records with a view to determining the number of adoption records that may be false and or misleading and including illegal registration of births; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36639/19]

Blind Person's Pension Data

Joan Burton

1859. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of the blind pension at year end 2018, by gender and county. [36027/19]

Blind Welfare Allowance

Joan Burton

1860. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to introduce a measure to disregard the blind welfare allowance for means testing purposes; the full-year cost of disregarding the blind welfare allowance in the means test for the disability allowance; the number of persons affected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36028/19]

Wildlife Conservation

Joan Burton

2032. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her attention has been drawn to the report by the National Parks and Wildlife Service that found agricultural practices are impacting negatively on 70% of internationally important habitats here; if her Department has identified the most harmful agricultural practices that affect such habitats; her plans to assist farmers reduce the negative effect of agricultural practices on the habitats; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36035/19]

Cultural Policy

Joan Burton

2040. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to establish night mayors in towns and cities; her plans to grow the potential multibillion euro night-time economy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36629/19]

Performing Arts

Joan Burton

2041. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her attention has been drawn to the number of theatre spaces in Dublin that have closed (details supplied) or are at risk of closing due to increased costs in commercial rents; her plans to ensure affordable spaces for actors and other artists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36630/19]

Central Statistics Office Data

Joan Burton

21. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Taoiseach further to Parliamentary Question No. 102 of 20 September 2017, the reason Irish life tables 17 has not been published to date by the Central Statistics Office; and when same will be published. [31797/19]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Joan Burton

614. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress to date on the establishment of a new school for the provision of autism specific education in the Dublin 15 area; when the school will officially open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34161/19]