Parliamentary questions

Road Network

Pat the Cope Gallagher

76. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the A5-N2 project in terms of the capital plan review being conducted by his Department; his plans for moving this project forward in the context of the Brexit deadline and as part of the national planning framework plan as a catalyst for regional development and growth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49140/17]

Fishing Vessel Licences

Pat the Cope Gallagher

181. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the response he received from fishing industry representatives regarding his plans to bring forward a new statutory instrument on penalty points at the sea fisheries liaison group meeting on 20 October 2017; the feedback from the sector to amendments he put forward; if there are additional amendments to the planned statutory instrument other than that which was put forward at the meeting on 20 October 2017; his views on whether there needs to be full buy-in for a points system from the sector and that the new regime needs to be impartial and open to appeal for all vessel owners; his plans for further consultation with fishing organisations before the statutory instrument comes before the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49581/17]

Defence Forces Reserve

Pat the Cope Gallagher

247. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will consider introducing a service medal for long service for all those from the Reserve Defence Force formerly the FCA that have in excess of 30 years continuous service done in addition to the existing 21 year service medal to date; if he will further consider it in the context of the 1916 to 2016 commemoration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49501/17]

Telecommunications Services Provision

Pat the Cope Gallagher

53. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the position regarding his efforts to improve mobile telephone signals; the progress made to date in terms of the recommendations of the mobile telephone and broadband task force with particular reference to County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48950/17]

DEIS Administration

Pat the Cope Gallagher

228. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for the further expansion of the DEIS programme in 2018; his further plans to reopen the programme for those schools which did not receive DEIS designation in 2017 but fulfil the criteria as identified in the recently published deprivation report and that require additional resources and supports in their respective schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49293/17]

DEIS Administration

Pat the Cope Gallagher

229. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools added to the DEIS designations list 2017 following the verification process engaged in by the respective schools; his views on the verification process (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49294/17]

Schools Building Projects Status

Pat the Cope Gallagher

233. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the provision of a new school building for a school (details supplied); if his Department is treating this project with the utmost importance and dealing with it as a priority due to the pressures the school is under in its current building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49374/17]

Hospital Beds Data

Pat the Cope Gallagher

423. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 1004 to 1006, inclusive, of 26 July 2017 and 94 of 15 November 2017, if he will clarify which of the statements is correct; his policy for hospitals' (details supplied) long-stay accommodation beds; if previous records on this issue will be corrected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49389/17]

Fishing Vessel Licences

Pat the Cope Gallagher

453. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if, in the instance of the proposed penalty points being attached to a vessel owner's licence, they would remain attached to his or her licence should a court subsequently find in favour of the vessel owner; the rights of appeal to the courts the vessel owner has following a decision reached by the proposed board of determination which the Minister proposed to establish by statutory instrument; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49365/17]

Fish Quotas

Pat the Cope Gallagher

454. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the initial draft proposals issued from the European Commission regarding the TACs and quota for fishing for 2018; the steps he has taken prior to the December 2017 European Commission meeting on this matter in order to protect the fishing industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49366/17]

Road Network

Pat the Cope Gallagher

526. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for improving Fintra bridge on the R263 in County Donegal; the timeframe for the delivery of the project; the estimated cost of the project; the completion date for the entire project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49295/17]

Road Network

Pat the Cope Gallagher

527. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for improving Tír Chonaill Street bridge in Donegal town; the timeframe for the delivery of the project; the estimated cost of the project; the completion date for the delivery of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49296/17]

Road Projects

Pat the Cope Gallagher

528. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for improving the N56 between Inver bridge and Killybegs in County Donegal; the interim measures for improving the surface of that section of the N56 in view of the fact it is not fit for purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49297/17]

Water and Sewerage Schemes

Pat the Cope Gallagher

608. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government to set out the number of applicants to date for the domestic wastewater treatment scheme for domestic septic tanks, as announced by the previous Government in 2013; the number of grants that were approved for individual applications in County Donegal; the number that are awaiting approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49051/17]

Hospital Services

Pat the Cope Gallagher

65. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health his strategy for dealing with the ongoing capacity difficulties at Letterkenny University Hospital whereby full capacity protocols have been exercised throughout 2017; his winter strategy for the hospital and the expected increase in demand for services; the way in which his Department plans to deal with these issues; the additional resources he plans to provide; the extra bed capacity he plans to introduce in order to deal with this ongoing crisis at Letterkenny University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48094/17]

Community Care

Pat the Cope Gallagher

94. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health his strategy for the community hospitals in County Donegal and the future development of all community hospitals within the county; his plans for the long-term bed accommodation of St Joseph's Hospital, Stranorlar, Lifford Community Hospital and Ramelton Community Hospital in view of the conflicting information provided by his predecessor on 26 January 2016 and the various HSE statements on that matter of long-stay beds within these three community hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48095/17]

European Fisheries Fund

Pat the Cope Gallagher

172. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of grant aid provided through the European maritime fisheries fund programme or its equivalent programme in each of the years 2009 to date in 2017 to the fisheries sector here, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47225/17]

Fishing Industry

Pat the Cope Gallagher

173. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to introduce by statutory instrument a penalty points system for fishing vessel licence holders; the way in which the penalty points system will operate; the rights of appeal he plans to introduce for the vessel licence holders; and the timeframe for the introduction of the statutory instrument. [47255/17]

Fishing Industry

Pat the Cope Gallagher

174. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the level of consultation he has had with the fishing sector over the past four months over the proposed introduction by statutory instrument of a penalty points system for vessel licence holders; the other organisations and groups he has consulted with on this issue for the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47256/17]

Fishing Industry

Pat the Cope Gallagher

176. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the definition of serious infringements as contained in his written correspondence of 1 November 2017 to the members of the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine regarding the points system for fishing vessel licence holders; the way in which he plans to deal with the definition and future interpretation of serious infringement; the person or body that will make such a determination and interpretation of the statutory instrument once introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47276/17]

School Accommodation

Pat the Cope Gallagher

399. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason an application for an extension for a school (details supplied) in County Donegal has twice been refused for a resource room and ancillary works; if his attention has been drawn to the need for this extension at this school; his plans to approve same without further delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46648/17]

Calafoirt agus Céanna

Pat the Cope Gallagher

589. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an ndéanfaidh sí sonraí a sholáthar maidir leis an bpleanáil do thonnchosc i Machaire Rabhartaigh i gContae Dhún na nGall, an dtabharfaidh sí sonraí breise i dtaobh cén maoiniú atá ar fáil don staid phleanála den togra, cén uair a cheadaigh a roinn an maoiniú seo agus cén clár ama beacht atá ann maidir le dul chun cinn an togra seo, mar a comhaontaíodh le comhairle contae Dhún na nGall, ós rud é go bhfuil cead tugtha anois ag an roinn an togra a bhogadh ar aghaidh go dtí an staid phleanála; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [46161/17]

Rural Social Scheme Data

Pat the Cope Gallagher

568. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of participants on the rural social scheme and community employment scheme in County Donegal on either a municipal area or employment exchange area basis, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43526/17]

Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Programme

Pat the Cope Gallagher

93. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if flood prevention funding will be approved for Killybegs, which was requested through the catchment's flood risk assessment; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that if funding had been approved the recent flooding of the Bridge Street district could have been avoided; when these works will be carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43070/17]

Departmental Properties

Pat the Cope Gallagher

155. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to maintain grounds owned by his Department in Killybegs in order to avoid flooding; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that owned grounds along the Shore Road are overgrown with scrub wood, waste ground shrubbery and foliage which in turn is blocking the water channel which drains from the Bridge Street area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43069/17]

IDA Ireland Jobs Data

Pat the Cope Gallagher

16. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of newly created IDA backed jobs in County Donegal between 2012 and 2016; the number of IDA site visits that have occurred in County Donegal between 2016 and 2017 involving new and prospective IDA clients; her future development plans for job creation within the county over the next four years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42859/17]

Flood Prevention Measures

Pat the Cope Gallagher

68. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will consider in conjunction with relevant Departments and other agencies introducing a pilot initiative for the clearance and upkeep of water courses, channels, streams and rivers in areas subject to flooding and or prone to future flooding in an effort to avoid future flooding in areas of poor drainage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42860/17]

Garda Deployment

Pat the Cope Gallagher

214. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans for restoring Garda numbers in the Glencolumbkille and Carrick Garda districts, which currently stand at one when previously four gardaí were stationed in those areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42722/17]

Garda Stations

Pat the Cope Gallagher

218. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to provide a Garda station in Glencolumbkille (details supplied); his further plans to locate a Garda station in another community-owned building within the village of Glencolumbkille; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42930/17]

Aquaculture Licence Applications

Pat the Cope Gallagher

487. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of aquaculture licence applications made for Cruit Island and Carrickfinn in County Donegal; the timeframe for a final decision to be reached on both applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43019/17]

National Broadband Plan Data

Pat the Cope Gallagher

523. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of houses in County Donegal that have been connected to high-speed broadband by the end of July 2017; the number of households that will be connected by the end of 2018; his plans for connecting all other households in County Donegal; the timeframe for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42857/17]

Mobile Telephony Services

Pat the Cope Gallagher

524. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the outcome of discussions he has had with the telecommunications regulator and the telecommunications providers regarding the inadequate mobile telephone coverage in County Donegal; his plans to deal with the substandard service available in County Donegal at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42858/17]

Tourism Promotion

Pat the Cope Gallagher

565. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his strategy and plans for counteracting the decline of UK visitor numbers here; the changes he plans to make to his departmental budget to deal with this evolving situation; his strategy for the Border counties in view of the fact that these areas are heavily dependent on UK markets for tourism revenue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43007/17]

Legislative Process

Pat the Cope Gallagher

39. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans for the Sea-Fisheries (Amendment) Bill 2017 in view of the fact the voisinage arrangements between zero and six miles are part of the London Convention and will no longer apply in Northern Ireland waters once the two years UK withdrawal notice expires in July 2019 and in view of the fact that the United Kingdom has served notice in July 2017 that it is withdrawing from the 1964 London Fisheries Convention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41518/17]

Brexit Issues

Pat the Cope Gallagher

57. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to combat the problems Brexit poses for the fisheries sector; the actions he has carried out to date to ensure that the fisheries negotiations and the wider trade negotiations are fully linked; if the seafood sector will not lose out in the final agreement in terms of access arrangements and the percentage share of the stocks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41517/17]

Schools Building Projects Status

Pat the Cope Gallagher

199. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a progress report for a school (details supplied); the options being considered for the new school building; the timeframe for its delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41909/17]

Schools Building Projects Status

Pat the Cope Gallagher

200. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Education and Skills when he expects a school (details supplied) to go to tender stage for the new school building; the timeframe for project delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41910/17]

Garda Accommodation

Pat the Cope Gallagher

267. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress made in upgrading the Donegal town Garda barracks; the options being considered as part of the overall improvement plan; the timeframe for moving forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41907/17]

Garda Resources

Pat the Cope Gallagher

268. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of additional gardaí allocated to the Donegal division in each of the years 2014 to 2016; the number of gardaí that either retired or transferred out of the division in each of the years 2014 to 2016; the further provision he and the Garda authorities are making for the Donegal division in 2017 and in future years in order to restore Garda numbers in the division; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41908/17]

Rural Social Scheme Data

Pat the Cope Gallagher

594. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of the additional 500 rural social scheme posts announced in budget 2017 by the former Minister for Social Protection which have been filled to date; the number that remain unfilled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41868/17]

School Funding

Pat the Cope Gallagher

162. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an appeal by a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40610/17]

Scéimeanna agus Tacaíochtaí Tithíochta

Pat the Cope Gallagher

240. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an dtabharfaidh sí sonraí faoin phlean atá aici maidir le deontais feabhsúcháin tithíochta a chur ar bun in athuair i gceantair Ghaeltachta, agus an aontaíonn sí go mbeadh a leithéid riachtanach chun tacú le teaghlaigh chun cónaí i gceantair Ghaeltachta, mar spreagadh do theaghlaigh chun filleadh ar cheantair ina bhfuil laghdú tagtha ar an daonra le breis agus 10 mbliana anuas. [40573/17]

Cuanta agus Céanna

Pat the Cope Gallagher

241. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén fáth go bhfuil an Roinn ag diúltú dul i gcomhairle le Coiste Thrá Mhachaire Rabhartaigh; cén fáth go bhfuil an roinn ag diúltú castáil leis an choiste; cén fáth go bhfuil an roinn ag diúltú glacadh leis an choiste mar ionadaithe don chéidh; cén fáth nach bhfuil an roinn sásta moltaí an choiste a chur san áireamh; cén fáth go bhfuil an roinn ag léiriú neamhshuim iomlán sa chéidh; an mbeidh sí sásta castáil leis an choiste áitiúil ar an láthair leis an cheist thábhachtach seo a phlé; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [40574/17]

Scéim na gCúntóirí Teanga

Pat the Cope Gallagher

242. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an dtabharfaidh sí cuntas ar an dul chun cinn maidir le scéim na gCúntóirí Teanga, ag eascairt as an ráiteas poiblí a rinne an t-iarAire Stáit, go háirithe maidir leis na postanna breise a cheadaigh an tAire ach nár líonadh, go háirithe na ceithre scoil i gContae Dhún na Gall (sonraí tugtha); agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [40575/17]

Road Projects Status

Pat the Cope Gallagher

474. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to include the Ballybofey-Stranorlar bypass on the N15 in the new ten year capital plan; the timeframe for delivery of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40598/17]

Road Projects Status

Pat the Cope Gallagher

475. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to include the upgrading of the N14 Lifford to Letterkenny road as part of the new ten-year capital plan; the timeframe for its delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40599/17]

Bereavement Grant

Pat the Cope Gallagher

519. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans for reintroducing the bereavement grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40597/17]

Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility

Pat the Cope Gallagher

238. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to solve the problems facing part-time and seasonal workers in trying to access social protection payments; her further plans to deal with the constraints surrounding the requirement to make 13 work contributions within the last 78 days of an existing claim, the income level of the subsidiary income threshold which mitigate against seasonal and part time workers’ rights; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40070/17]

Social and Affordable Housing Provision

Pat the Cope Gallagher

245. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of houses his Department plans to build in County Donegal in the next five year period as part of his recently announced plans and housing strategy; his overall social housing strategy for County Donegal; the agreed targets and timelines with emphasis on the overall present housing need; the projected need for the next five year period for the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40069/17]

Hospital Services

Pat the Cope Gallagher

1203. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health the reason a decision was taken to close the chapel at St. Joseph's Hospital, Stranorlar, which served the Church of Ireland community and other minority faiths; the further reason no consultation took place with the minority faith groups before the plan was published and the decision taken; his views on whether this practice is acceptable on the part of an agency of State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38338/17]

Hospital Overcrowding

Pat the Cope Gallagher

1204. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health the number of times the full capacity protocol was exercised at Letterkenny University Hospital between 1 January 2017 and 31 August 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38340/17]

Local Improvement Scheme Administration

Pat the Cope Gallagher

1739. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the timeframe for implementing the newly announced local improvement scheme, LIS; the timeframe for grant approvals; the date for works completion by the local authority; the national budget for the LIS programme for 2017; the ratio mechanism for dividing the budget by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38339/17]

Zero-hour Contracts

Pat the Cope Gallagher

219. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to further restore Donegal Castle in Donegal town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36115/17]

Garda Stations

Pat the Cope Gallagher

562. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans for the reopening of the closed Garda stations in Donegal in view of the Government’s decision to reopen a Garda station in south County Dublin recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36122/17]

Leader Programmes Funding

Pat the Cope Gallagher

606. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount of Leader funds allocated and spent in County Donegal in each of the years 2009 to 2016 respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36116/17]

Hospital Staff Data

Pat the Cope Gallagher

1002. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health the number of staff vacancies in Donegal hospitals either university or community (details supplied); the details of medical staff across all departmental headings, nursing staff, auxiliary nursing staff, nursing aid, general hospital maintenance and cleaning staff and other grades; the details of the change in staff numbers in all hospitals named in each of the years from December 2008 to December 2016; his plans for restoring staffing numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36107/17]

Hospital Beds Data

Pat the Cope Gallagher

1004. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health his plans for St Joseph’s hospital, Stranorlar; his further plans for keeping all 78 short and long-term stay beds which are based in wards (details supplied) in the hospital; the timeframe for staff restoration in order to facilitate this commitment at the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36109/17]

Hospital Beds Data

Pat the Cope Gallagher

1005. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health his plans to retain the long-term bed capacity at Lifford community hospital; his further plans to bring the hospital up to the required standards to ensure its future survival; the delivery of such proposals; the stage at which those plans are at; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36110/17]

Hospital Beds Data

Pat the Cope Gallagher

1006. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health his plans for retaining all long-term bed capacity at Ramelton community hospital; his further plans for the long-term future of the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36111/17]

Mental Health Services Expenditure

Pat the Cope Gallagher

1007. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health the expenditure on mental health within County Donegal in each of the years 2008 to 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36112/17]

Health Services Provision

Pat the Cope Gallagher

1008. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health his plans for restoring the cardiac rehabilitation programme to the previous centres of Dungloe and Ballyliffen which operated until 2010 but that have been suspended since then; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36113/17]

Hospital Services

Pat the Cope Gallagher

1009. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health his plans for retaining the Woodville specialist dementia care unit at St Joseph’s hospital Stranorlar, County Donegal; his further plans for restoring staff numbers at the unit and improvements for the specialist dementia unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36124/17]

Nursing Staff Recruitment

Pat the Cope Gallagher

1046. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in appointing nurses who have retired but are now willing to return to the profession; the reason nurses such as these early retirees are not actively encouraged back into the workforce, especially in cases in which there is a skills shortage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36254/17]

Mobile Telephony Services

Pat the Cope Gallagher

1305. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the progress made on the provision of better mobile signals within County Donegal since the Government's recent strategy report on same; his further plans to encourage mobile phone operators to increase their service availability in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36123/17]

Road Projects Status

Pat the Cope Gallagher

1331. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the discussions he has had with either the Northern Ireland authorities and or the UK government regarding the progression of the A5 and N2 cross-Border motorway project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36120/17]

Brexit Issues

Pat the Cope Gallagher

1396. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for fast-tracking infrastructural projects within the Border counties in advance of the conclusion of Brexit talks; the priorities for Donegal infrastructural projects in the agreed capital plan by the Government; the potential that such projects have for alleviating the impact of the Brexit negotiations conclusions; his views on whether advance planning at this critical stage is prudent rather than waiting for talks to conclude before implementing a strategy to meet the infrastructural needs of the Border counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36114/17]

Roads Maintenance

Pat the Cope Gallagher

1397. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the Fintra bridge project on the R263 in southwest Donegal; if he will report on the engineering staff intra engagement with the local authority and his departmental engineering staff on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36121/17]

Tourism Project Funding

Pat the Cope Gallagher

1398. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for developing marine tourism in County Donegal; the way in which such plans could easily supplement the success of the Wild Atlantic Way; his strategy to maximise the marine tourism potential for coastal counties; the timeframe for its implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36125/17]

Tourism Promotion

Pat the Cope Gallagher

1399. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for developing tourism on offshore islands and especially in County Donegal; his strategy to increase visitor numbers to the islands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36126/17]

Water Charges Refunds

Pat the Cope Gallagher

1612. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his plans for refunding water charges to those that have paid same; the timeframe for same; the procedures he plans to use for the refunding of same; the way in which previous Irish Water customers that made the respective payments will be identified and repaid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36118/17]

Housing Provision

Pat the Cope Gallagher

1666. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the arrangements that exist for families who do not qualify for local authority housing due to exceeding income levels as per his Department's circular on same, but also do not qualify for reasonable mortgage approval due to low income levels for the purposes of purchasing a home of their own; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36117/17]

Commercial Rates

Pat the Cope Gallagher

1667. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his plans for the commercial rates Bill; his strategy for assisting and helping struggling businesses in rural locations which to date find commercial rates an onerous burden on their businesses; the way in which he proposes to deal with the regional imbalances in commercial activities between the more thriving east coast and the slower and less recovering west coast; the way in which the proposed commercial rates Bill will deal with same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36119/17]

Scéim na mBóithre Pobail

Pat the Cope Gallagher

467. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an ndéanfaidh sí maoiniú éigeandála a sholáthar le cóiriú a dhéanamh ar bhóithre portaigh sna bailte fearainn seo a leanas, Srath na Bruaí, Slíothán, Mám an tSean Tí agus Loch na nGrianán i nGaoth Dobhair, a ndearna tuilte damáiste dóibh le gairid, á chur i gcuntas go bhfuil corradh le 100 teaghlach nach bhfuil ar a gcumas móin a thabhairt abhaile de bharr staid na mbóithre; cad iad na pleananna atá aici le feabhas a chur ar na bóithre i mBaile na Finne a ndearnadh damáiste dóibh sna tuilte le gairid; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [34296/17]

Garda Data

Pat the Cope Gallagher

67. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí in each Garda station in County Donegal as of 30 June 2017; and the number of new recruits assigned to the division since recruitment resumed in 2014. [32865/17]

Schools Building Projects Status

Pat the Cope Gallagher

238. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding approving a new school building for a school (details supplied) since he last met with school management and teaching staff on the matter; the timeframe for the project delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31526/17]

Schools Building Projects Status

Pat the Cope Gallagher

239. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding approving a new school building for a school (details supplied) since he last met the school authorities, management and staff on the matter; the timeframe for the project delivery in view of the fact that the new building is urgently required for the school due to school numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31527/17]

Emergency Works Scheme Applications

Pat the Cope Gallagher

240. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding approving the school extension and improvement plan for a school (details supplied) since he last met teaching staff and school management; the timeframe for delivering this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31528/17]

School Accommodation Provision

Pat the Cope Gallagher

246. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to provide an extension to a school (details supplied) in County Donegal; the timeframe for approval of the required additional accommodation; the timeframe for delivery of the extension. [30208/17]

CLÁR Programme

Pat the Cope Gallagher

332. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the reason an application for CLÁR funding by a school (details supplied) was unsuccessful under measure one, support for school and community safety measures; if her attention has been drawn to the safety concerns parents and teachers have regarding daily traffic volumes at the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30180/17]

CLÁR Programme

Pat the Cope Gallagher

333. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the reason an application for CLÁR funding by a school (details supplied) was unsuccessful under measure one, support for school and community safety measures; if her attention has been drawn to the safety concerns parents and teachers have regarding the school and daily traffic volumes due to the restrictive nature of approach roads to and from the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30181/17]

Domiciliary Care Allowance Applications

Pat the Cope Gallagher

584. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the considerable time delays in approving domiciliary care allowance applications; her plans to improve the timeframe for processing applications in view of 18-week delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30122/17]

Scéimeanna Rannach

Pat the Cope Gallagher

991. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an dtabharfaidh sí míniú maidir le cén fáth nár ceadaíodh aon airgead i gClár Caipitil na nOileán d’oileáin i nDún na nGall; an dtabharfaidh sí míniú maidir le cén fáth, i ndiaidh cuairt le gairid ón Aire Stáit ar na hoileáin atá i gceist, agus na ndearbhuithe a tugadh, nach raibh na hoileáin san áireamh sa chlár maoinithe; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [29019/17]

Scéim na gCúntóirí Teanga

Pat the Cope Gallagher

992. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an dtabharfaidh sí cuntas ar an dul chun cinn atá déanta maidir le scéim na gCúntóirí Teanga, go háirithe maidir leis na poist bhreise a cheadaigh an tAire ach nár líonadh; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [29020/17]

Scéim na mBóithre Áise

Pat the Cope Gallagher

993. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta sí cur síos ar na pleananna atá aici Scéim na mBóithre Áise a chur ar bun an athuair do bhóithre nach bóithre contae iad, bóithre áise a fhad le tithe agus feirmeacha i gceantar na Gaeltachta; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [29021/17]

Road Improvement Schemes

Pat the Cope Gallagher

1891. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the details of the budget that he allocated for Fintra bridge on the R263 in southwest Donegal; the timetable for the start of construction; the completion date for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29011/17]

Road Improvement Schemes

Pat the Cope Gallagher

1892. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for funding Tir Chonaill street bridge in Donegal town as sanctioned by his Department; the construction period for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29012/17]

Jobseeker's Benefit

Pat the Cope Gallagher

2115. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to honour the commitment given by her predecessor concerning the review of part-time and seasonal workers' entitlements to social protection payments in view of the delay in issuing the report which was due in March or April 2017 but has yet to be published; when same will be made available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29065/17]

Heritage Projects

Pat the Cope Gallagher

193. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her plans for carrying out improvement works at a site (details supplied); if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the cemetery is closed to the public due to concerns of debris and subsiding wall stead; if her attention has been further drawn to the fact an application was made for heritage grant funding but was unsuccessful and that therefore no funding opportunity currently exists for repairs other than from her Department directly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26114/17]

Garda Vetting Legislation

Pat the Cope Gallagher

136. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to introduce a single Garda vetting card to be issued to each person for a set period of time rather than the current situation whereby a person has to apply for Garda vetting on each occasion they change employment, voluntary work or placement; the reason such a universal vetting card is not available in place of the current system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26016/17]

Garda Data

Pat the Cope Gallagher

137. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda that are operational and on full-time duty on a weekly basis in the Donegal division; the number of Garda working in a full-time capacity now compared to those working in a full-time capacity in 2011, 2014 and 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26017/17]

Garda Resources

Pat the Cope Gallagher

138. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans for improving the Garda station in Donegal town; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26018/17]

Garda Resources

Pat the Cope Gallagher

139. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to restore the Glenties district Garda station to its previous status; her further plans to restore Garda numbers in west Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26019/17]

Garda Resources

Pat the Cope Gallagher

140. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda cars currently available in the Donegal division; the way in which current Garda car numbers compare with those in 2011 to 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26020/17]

Scéim na mBóithre Áise

Pat the Cope Gallagher

382. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cad iad na pleananna atá aici maidir le scéim deontas bóithre straitéiseacha a chur ar bun sa Ghaeltacht chun slí rochtana a chur ar fáil ar fud na Gaeltachta agus ar fud na tíre, os rud é go bhféadfaí maoiniú a fháil dá leithéid de scéim ag féachaint don mhéid airgid atá faoina cúram agus nár caitheadh sna buiséid éagsúla; an dtabharfaidh sí eolas i dtaobh cén uair a d'fhéadfaí a leithéid de scéim a chur ar bun, agus an mbeadh sí sásta gur plean ilbhliantúil a chuirfí ar bun chun déileáil leis an easpa tograí bonneagair i gceantair Ghaeltachta ó cuireadh an scéim ar fionraí sa bhliain 2010; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [25979/17]

Scéim na mBóithre Áise

Pat the Cope Gallagher

383. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cad iad na pleananna atá aici maidir le scéim bóithre áise a chur ar bun in athuair chun freastal ar thithe agus bóithre feirme i gceantair Ghaeltachta ar fud na tíre; an aithníonn sí an phráinn mhór atá le scéim den sórt seo chun dul i ngleic leis an gcaoi a bhfuil cúrsaí ag dul chun donais i gceantair tuaithe ó thaobh ísliú caighdeán bóithre sa Ghaeltacht mar go bhfuil na mílte cónaitheoirí neamhábalta an costas a sheasamh maidir leis na bóithre seo a chóiriú chomh fada lena dtithe cónaithe; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [25980/17]

Brexit Issues

Pat the Cope Gallagher

518. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to ensure that fisheries are a top priority in the Brexit talks and to further ensure that Irish fisheries interests are fully protected; his plans to link fisheries negotiations with the trade talks during the Brexit negotiations, thus ensuring that fisheries are central to the eventual negotiated outcome of the talks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25591/17]

Harbours and Piers

Pat the Cope Gallagher

553. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to construct a seawall at Machaire Rabhartaigh Harbour, County Donegal (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to a consultant’s report from 2015 that made a number of recommendations to solve the problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26037/17]

Harbours and Piers

Pat the Cope Gallagher

554. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will meet with a delegation from County Donegal (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26038/17]

National Lottery Funding Data

Pat the Cope Gallagher

178. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health the funding that was provided to community and voluntary groups from his Department's national lottery discretionary fund in each of the years 2008 to 2016 in tabular form; the allocation to be provided in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25117/17]

Prescriptions Charges

Pat the Cope Gallagher

197. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health the total income received from prescription charges in 2016 from persons under 65 years of age and persons over 65 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22535/17]