Parliamentary questions

Bus Services

Róisín Shortall

218. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to customer complaints (details supplied) regarding public transport services; the way in which, or if, the NTA is monitoring these services for punctuality and or reliability; if ongoing issues with same will result in financial and or other penalties for the operator; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52349/18]

Departmental Schemes

Róisín Shortall

77. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Taoiseach the grant and funding schemes operated by his Department; the value of each scheme; and the basis or criteria used for the allocation of funding in respect of each scheme. [51500/18]

NAMA Social Housing Provision

Róisín Shortall

138. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance the number of properties that have been transferred to the National Asset Residential Property Service, NARPS, since 2014 by year and dwelling type, that is, apartments, houses and so on in relation to property sales in County Dublin, that is, in the four Dublin local authority areas; the number of estate homes and apartments completed by NAMA since 2014, including Q1 and Q2 of 2018, by year; and the number of new units that have been completed by NAMA that remain unsold. [51707/18]

Schools Building Projects

Róisín Shortall

217. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to open a new, permanent, non- or multi-denominational co-educational secondary school serving children in an area (details supplied) in view of the fact that there is currently no co-educational secondary school catchment area and the newly located college will operate temporarily without a fixed catchment area. [52214/18]

Cross-Border Health Services Provision

Róisín Shortall

381. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the waiting time for persons who take up healthcare under the cross-border directive to be refunded the moneys which they must pay up front for surgery; if there are delays in refunds being processed; if so, the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52044/18]

Ministerial Correspondence

Róisín Shortall

576. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will respond directly to an organisation (details supplied) that has corresponded with him regarding a petition by it; the steps he has taken to address its concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51721/18]

Planning Issues

Róisín Shortall

577. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the waiving of the €20 fee for planning observations and submissions applies only to councillors; if other public representatives are also exempt from paying this fee in regard to the Planning and Development (Amendment) (Fees) Regulations 2018, SI No. 501 of 2018; if so, the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51722/18]

Departmental Schemes

Róisín Shortall

64. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the grant and funding schemes operated by his Department; the value of each scheme; and the basis or criteria used for the allocation of funding in respect of each scheme. [51402/18]

Departmental Schemes

Róisín Shortall

73. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the grant and funding schemes operated by his Department; the value of each scheme; and the basis or criteria used for the allocation of funding in respect of each scheme. [51406/18]

Departmental Schemes

Róisín Shortall

80. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance the grant and funding schemes operated by his Department; the value of each scheme; and the basis or criteria used for the allocation of funding in respect of each scheme. [51405/18]

Motor Insurance Costs

Róisín Shortall

91. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance the action he has taken to help reduce motor insurance costs specifically for returning emigrants, drivers of older cars and drivers who are switching from named driver status to fully comprehensive in their own right; and the monitoring measures in place to identify pricing trends in these specific sectors of the motor insurance market. [51487/18]

Motor Insurance Costs

Róisín Shortall

92. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance the action that has been taken to date in respect of each of the recommendations made by the cost of insurance working group's report on the cost of motor insurance. [51488/18]

Trade Union Membership

Róisín Shortall

97. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his policy and the policy in the Civil Service in general relating to facilitating workers who wish to join a trade union of their choice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51275/18]

Departmental Schemes

Róisín Shortall

102. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the grant and funding schemes operated by his Department; the value of each scheme; the basis or criteria used for the allocation of funding in respect of each scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51410/18]

Education and Training Boards Payments

Róisín Shortall

109. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills the rules regarding the ability of education and training boards or ETBs to reduce further education and training or FET allowance payments for those on qualifying courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51307/18]

Education and Training Boards Payments

Róisín Shortall

110. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the complete former rate of jobseeker's payment including increases for qualified dependents is reduced and not solely the previous personal jobseeker's rate in circumstances in which a decision is taken to reduce the FET allowance payment to a person for lateness, missing training and so on; his views on whether this discrepancy causes unnecessary hardship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51308/18]

Departmental Schemes

Róisín Shortall

114. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills the grant and funding schemes operated by his Department; the value of each scheme; and the basis or criteria used for the allocation of funding in respect of each scheme. [51403/18]

Language Schools Closures

Róisín Shortall

118. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills the protections available to students and staff when an English language training school faces financial difficulty in view of media reports (details supplied) and in view of the significant budget that has been set aside to market Ireland as a destination for English language training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51447/18]

Schools Building Projects Status

Róisín Shortall

119. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details supplied) will be housed within an existing permanent educational facility to ensure that the students are not forced to receive education in prefabs; his plans to ensure that the proposed school which has already been delayed will be completed in 2019; his further plans to ensure that funding will be provided for educational resources in library facilities and recreational facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51484/18]

Departmental Schemes

Róisín Shortall

145. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the grant and funding schemes operated by his Department; the value of each scheme; and the basis or criteria used for the allocation of funding in respect of each scheme. [51409/18]

Commencement of Legislation

Róisín Shortall

146. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason for the ongoing delay in commencing Part 9 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015; if his attention has been drawn to the impact and distress the delay is having on affected families; the timescale to complete the relevant work to allow for commencement in view of the fact that numerous deadlines have been missed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51464/18]

Departmental Schemes

Róisín Shortall

149. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the grant and funding schemes operated by her Department; the value of each scheme; the basis or criteria used for the allocation of funding in respect of each scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51398/18]

Workplace Discrimination

Róisín Shortall

150. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the steps being taken to reduce inequality in the workplace; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51414/18]

Hospitals Building Programme

Róisín Shortall

152. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if the building of the proposed new national maternity hospital on the grounds of St. Vincent's Hospital is time sensitive in respect of compliance with EU directives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51226/18]

Trade Union Membership

Róisín Shortall

164. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health his policy and the policy in the health service in general regarding facilitating workers who wish to join a trade union of their choice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51274/18]

Departmental Schemes

Róisín Shortall

180. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the grant and funding schemes operated by his Department; the value of each scheme; and the basis or criteria used for the allocation of funding in respect of each scheme [51407/18]

Drug and Alcohol Task Forces

Róisín Shortall

182. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health when an organisation (details supplied) will receive notification of funding for 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51426/18]

Drug and Alcohol Task Forces

Róisín Shortall

183. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health when an organisation (details supplied) will receive notification of funding for 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51427/18]

Commencement of Legislation

Róisín Shortall

185. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the reason for the ongoing delay in fully commencing the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015; if his attention has been drawn to the impact and distress the long delay in commencing the delayed parts of this Act is having on affected families; the timescale to complete the relevant work to allow for commencement in view of the fact that numerous deadlines have been missed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51463/18]

Maternity Services

Róisín Shortall

186. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he is seeking to include a public interest director on the board of the new national maternity hospital in view of media reports (details supplied); if so, the purpose of such a role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51465/18]

Departmental Schemes

Róisín Shortall

194. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the grant and funding schemes operated by his Department; the value of each scheme; and the basis or criteria used for the allocation of funding in respect of each scheme. [51397/18]

Departmental Schemes

Róisín Shortall

221. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the grant and funding schemes operated by his Department; the value of each scheme; and the basis or criteria used for the allocation of funding in respect of each scheme. [51400/18]

Electric Vehicles

Róisín Shortall

224. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps he will take to address the perceived inadequate electric car-charging infrastructure in Dublin city; and his plans to ensure that Dublin City Council and the ESB co-operate to provide designated charging bays in view of the fact that these are frequently used for regular parking and, therefore, not available for charging. [51466/18]

Departmental Schemes

Róisín Shortall

233. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the grant and funding schemes operated by his Department; the value of each scheme; and the basis or criteria used for the allocation of funding in respect of each scheme. [51412/18]

Departmental Schemes

Róisín Shortall

240. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the grant and funding schemes operated by her Department; the value of each scheme; and the basis or criteria used for the allocation of funding in respect of each scheme. [51399/18]

Departmental Schemes

Róisín Shortall

252. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the grant and funding schemes operated by his Department; the value of each scheme; and the basis or criteria used for the allocation of funding in respect of each scheme. [51411/18]

Departmental Schemes

Róisín Shortall

268. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the grant and funding schemes operated by her Department; the value of each scheme; and the basis or criteria used for the allocation of funding in respect of each scheme. [51404/18]

Workplace Discrimination

Róisín Shortall

269. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the steps being taken to reduce inequality in the workplace; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51415/18]

Commencement of Legislation

Róisín Shortall

272. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason for the ongoing delay in fully commencing the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015; if her attention has been drawn to the impact and distress the long delay in commencing the delayed parts of the Act is having on affected families; the timescale to complete the relevant work to allow for commencement in view of the fact that numerous deadlines have been missed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51462/18]

Departmental Schemes

Róisín Shortall

283. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the grant and funding schemes operated by his Department; the value of each scheme; and the basis or criteria used for the allocation of funding in respect of each scheme. [51408/18]

Departmental Schemes

Róisín Shortall

286. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the grant and funding schemes operated by her Department; the value of each scheme; and the basis or criteria used for the allocation of funding in respect of each scheme. [51401/18]

Fuel Prices

Róisín Shortall

268. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason he has not appointed a regulator to regulate and monitor the market for home heating oil; if he will provide the last market monitoring report, competition report, consumer protection code or consumer survey report produced by his Department or by a body under the aegis of his Department on the market for home heating oil; and the way in which he plans to promote competition, protect consumers and ensure sustainability in the market. [51073/18]

Insurance Industry

Róisín Shortall

139. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance if there are rules in place obliging life insurance providers to retain policy records for a certain number of years after the final transaction on the insurance account; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50161/18]

Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal Applications

Róisín Shortall

231. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the average waiting time for cases to be decided by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50163/18]

Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal Applications

Róisín Shortall

235. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 133 of 15 November 2017, 172 of 28 March 2018 and 555 of 4 April 2018, if he will direct the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal to provide an update on the status of the claim (details supplied) as a matter of urgency; and if this matter will be resolved as a matter of priority in view of the length of time the process has been allowed to continue. [50345/18]

Health Services Access

Róisín Shortall

311. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if funding will be provided for persons who are suffering from Huntington's disease to allow them to avail of publicly funded multidisciplinary clinics in respect of the condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50162/18]

Disability Services Funding

Róisín Shortall

315. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase personal assistant hours for persons with disabilities in 2019; the specific budget increase that has been earmarked for this; the number of additional hours this increase will provide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50173/18]

Home Care Packages Expenditure

Róisín Shortall

422. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the methodology used to calculate block allocations of funding to each community healthcare organisation area for the provision of home care packages; if age profile, social deprivation rates and so on are included in the calculation of this allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50809/18]

Health Services Staff Data

Róisín Shortall

423. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number, location and speciality of all clinical directors in the health service; the number of vacant posts; the recruitment process for the filling of clinical director posts generally; and the arrangements for the advertisement of these posts. [50810/18]

Light Rail Projects

Róisín Shortall

598. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if individuals and groups will have the right to make observations and submissions when the second round of MetroLink public consultation on the preferred route is completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50811/18]

Light Rail Projects

Róisín Shortall

599. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the MetroLink project; and the indicative timescale for the remaining public consultations and delivery of the project. [50812/18]

Housing for People with Disabilities Provision

Róisín Shortall

719. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the steps he is taking to ensure that a sufficient percentage of housing is fully accessible for wheelchair users and not merely visitable; the target number of units; the information available to him on the level of demand for such units; and the steps he will take to improve building and planning regulations in order that a percentage of new builds are fully accessible. [50680/18]

Cancer Screening Programmes

Róisín Shortall

166. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 159, 163 and 164 of 22 November 2018, the outcome of the review of all 335 positive BRCA results processed by the department of clinical genetics in Our Lady's Children’s Hospital, Crumlin; and when he expects to receive a report on the review of the negative BRCA tests. [50047/18]

Hospital Services

Róisín Shortall

167. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 161 of 22 November 2018, the reason a report (details supplied) on the review of genetic services in Ireland 2014 has not been published; and if he will undertake to publish it without further delay. [50048/18]

Hospital Services

Róisín Shortall

168. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 161 of 22 November 2018, and the recommendations from a report (details supplied) which established a steering group by the HSE in early 2015, if he will report on the appointment of a national director and a clinical laboratory director of the national genetic and genomic medicine network; when these posts were advertised; and when it is proposed to provide funding for the commencement of these posts. [50049/18]

Cancer Services Funding

Róisín Shortall

169. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if there has been cuts in funding for mammograms at St. James’s Hospital breast cancer history clinic; if so, the reason for such a decision in view of the importance of this clinic; if assurance that the clinic will continue at full capacity into the future will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50050/18]

Community Employment Schemes Funding

Róisín Shortall

236. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason funding is being stopped for a youth employment programme (details supplied) in Dublin 11; if she will respond to an invitation from the group to meet with them; if she will reconsider this decision and reinstate funding for this important scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50051/18]

Competition and Consumer Protection Commission Reports

Róisín Shortall

120. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance the actions he has taken on foot of the five recommendations of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission in its report Personal Contract Plans: the Irish Market of 6 March 2018 as they relate to his Department. [49675/18]

National Council for Special Education

Róisín Shortall

140. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of appeals to the National Council for Special Education in 2017 and to date in 2018; and the number of these appeals that led to an allocation of additional services to a school. [49687/18]

Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service Administration

Róisín Shortall

162. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 142 of 26 September 2018 and 420 of 6 November 2018, if he will respond to issues raised in correspondence in relation to the INIS online appointment system for registrations (details supplied); the action he will take to address these problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49712/18]

Garda Data

Róisín Shortall

165. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the Garda number for Mountjoy, Cabra and Santry Garda stations; the number of Garda members at each grade and-or rank for each station; the number of Garda vehicles and bicycles assigned to each station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49721/18]

Peace Commissioners Appointments

Róisín Shortall

181. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will give consideration to the provision of an information pack and signature stamp to all persons appointed as peace commissioners; and if he will arrange for a designated person within his Department to be available to provide advice to peace commissioners as issues arise in view of the often complex legal role which they are required to fulfil. [49808/18]

Competition and Consumer Protection Commission Reports

Róisín Shortall

184. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the actions she has taken on foot of the five recommendations of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission in its report Personal Contract Plans: the Irish Market of 6 March 2018 as they relate to her Department. [49676/18]

Services for People with Disabilities

Róisín Shortall

186. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health when a full personal assistance service will be put in place for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49838/18]

Psychological Assessments Waiting Times

Róisín Shortall

203. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of children on waiting lists for preliminary team assessments by CHO area, age category and time waiting. [49685/18]

Services for People with Disabilities

Róisín Shortall

204. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of preliminary team assessments carried out by LHO area in each of the past five years; and the proportion of those that have been provided with additional services based on the results of the assessments. [49686/18]

Foreign Conflicts

Róisín Shortall

115. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland will increase its diplomatic efforts through the EU to ensure that South Sudan's peace deal holds (details supplied); if Ireland will continue to support the humanitarian efforts in South Sudan that are addressing the root causes of the conflict and continue to fund and support the vital conflict resolution and peacebuilding efforts at community level by the South Sudan Council of Churches in partnership with INGOs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48939/18]

Housing Assistance Payment

Róisín Shortall

579. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason persons on the housing waiting list and that have been in receipt of rent supplement on a long-term basis are being instructed to move from rent supplement to housing assistance payment; the supports that have been put in place to assist persons in this regard; if her attention has been drawn to the stress and worry that this is causing persons prior to Christmas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49156/18]

Cancer Screening Programmes

Róisín Shortall

159. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking further to a report (details supplied); the extent of the review of cases proposed; the person or persons who will carry out this review; the length of time covered by the review; and when he expects the review to be completed. [48815/18]

Cancer Screening Programmes

Róisín Shortall

160. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if guidelines exist in the HSE regarding the auditing of the issuance of test and-or screening results for human error; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48816/18]

Hospital Services

Róisín Shortall

161. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the steps that were taken to address the issues raised in a review (details supplied) of the National Centre for Medical Genetics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48817/18]

Hospital Services

Róisín Shortall

162. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the reason the genetics department in Our Lady's Children’s Hospital, Crumlin is located in the hospital in view of the fact it provides a national service to adults; the governance structure which applies to this department; and his plans to establish this as a stand-alone unit in the HSE. [48818/18]

Cancer Screening Programmes

Róisín Shortall

163. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who have been informed of a change to their test results with regard to a report (details supplied); and if there is a helpline for persons who may have concerns in this regard. [48819/18]

Cancer Screening Programmes

Róisín Shortall

164. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who have been informed of a change in their test results broken down by those who were misinformed owing to a clerical error and those whose results were changed as a result of subsequent more advanced retesting of their original samples with regard to a report (details supplied), respectively. [48820/18]

Energy Resources

Róisín Shortall

187. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a review will be instigated of policy on building new fossil fuel infrastructure, such as, a facility (details supplied) in the context of climate change; if a debate in Dáil Éireann will be facilitated on whether Ireland should allow fracked shale gas in the energy mix; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48743/18]

Departmental Legal Cases

Róisín Shortall

154. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will waive confidentiality in relation to the legal agreement reached between the State and a person (details supplied) in relation to the civil action being taken by a person in view of the strong public interest in the proceedings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48590/18]

Garda Disciplinary Proceedings

Róisín Shortall

156. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the options that are open to An Garda Síochána to suspend or otherwise remove from active duty a member of the force where there is clear evidence of wrongdoing or a dereliction of duty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48626/18]

Ambulance Service Funding

Róisín Shortall

187. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1065 of 20 March 2018, the status of HSE funding for Dublin Fire Brigade to provide fire based EMS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48625/18]

RTÉ Expenditure

Róisín Shortall

209. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the significant reduction in spend from RTÉ to the independent production sector here (details supplied); the steps he is taking to ensure that this spend in the sector is increased back to 2007 levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48557/18]

Television Licence Fee

Róisín Shortall

210. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the aspects of the television licence fee reform the interdepartmental working group is reviewing; when this report will be published; if there will be engagement by the group with stakeholders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48558/18]

Television Licence Fee

Róisín Shortall

211. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on public service broadcasting; his further views on licence fee reform; when his action plan points in these areas will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48559/18]

Ministerial Meetings

Róisín Shortall

212. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when he will meet an organisation (details supplied) to discuss the independent production sector here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48560/18]

Television Licence Fee

Róisín Shortall

213. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on appointing the Revenue Commissioners as the licence fee collection agent to help reduce evasion rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48561/18]

Medicinal Products Reimbursement

Róisín Shortall

368. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health his plans to engage with other members of the BeNeLuxA group to negotiate jointly to obtain reimbursement for Spinraza similar to that completed by the Netherlands and Belgium earlier in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47786/18]

Social Welfare Benefits Applications

Róisín Shortall

606. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an application by a person (details supplied) for a back payment for a utility will be re-examined in view of the fact that they had not been made aware of the necessity to notify her Department when switching suppliers; the way in which this condition of the household benefits package is made known to those in receipt of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47756/18]

Banking Operations

Róisín Shortall

56. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance the form of identification that may be legally requested by banks and credit unions when dealing with customers at public counters who wish to carry out a transaction on their accounts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47502/18]

Traveller Community

Róisín Shortall

120. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Traveller men have a life expectancy 15 years lower than the general population; the steps he will take to address this discrepancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47498/18]

Traveller Community

Róisín Shortall

121. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the reason the national Traveller health advisory committee has not been convened since 2012; if this committee will be reconvened without delay in order to address Traveller-specific health issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47499/18]

Traveller Community

Róisín Shortall

122. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the details of the funding provided for the Traveller health budget in each of the past ten years; and if the investment in this budget for 2019 will be increased. [47500/18]

Health Services

Róisín Shortall

137. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the hospital and-or health facility buildings that have been built by a company (details supplied); and the steps he is taking to ensure quality control in relation to same. [47571/18]

Health Services

Róisín Shortall

138. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he plans to expand specialised hospital supports and increase specialist staff for persons with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome; if not, if resources will be made available for this condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47574/18]

Hospital Food

Róisín Shortall

139. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to address the issue of the quality of hospital food in respect of its high fat and sugar content and low nutritional value; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47577/18]

HSE Staff Recruitment

Róisín Shortall

140. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the way in which he plans to proceed with the recruitment of the head of the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47578/18]

State Pension (Contributory)

Róisín Shortall

203. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position of workers who will retire in 2020 at 65 years of age but will not be entitled to a contributory pension until 67 years of age; if they will have an entitlement to jobseeker's payment between their retirement and pension entitlement age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47552/18]

Employment Rights

Róisín Shortall

206. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of cases of alleged bogus self-employment that were substantiated when reported to and examined by the SCOPE section of her Department and subsequently overturned on appeal by the Social Welfare Appeals Office in each of the past five years by industry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47572/18]

Employment Rights

Róisín Shortall

207. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of prosecutions she has sought against employers that have been found to have been employing workers on bogus self-employment contracts in each of the past five years; the number of cases that were successfully prosecuted each year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47573/18]

Employment Rights

Róisín Shortall

208. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of cases of alleged bogus self-employment that were substantiated when reported to and examined by the SCOPE section in each of the past five years by industry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47580/18]

Money Advice and Budgeting Service Funding

Róisín Shortall

209. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the amount of funding provided to the Money Advice and Budgeting Service in each of the past ten years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47581/18]

Citizens Information Services Funding

Róisín Shortall

210. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the amount of funding provided to the Citizens Information Service in each of the past ten years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47582/18]

Social and Affordable Housing Provision

Róisín Shortall

229. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the reason for the delay in establishing the promised affordable housing scheme; and when full details will be issued to local authorities in relation to same. [47568/18]