Parliamentary questions

Harbours and Piers Development

Pat the Cope Gallagher

190. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if funding has been ring-fenced for the Killybegs Harbour development consisting of a 120 m extension and ancillary works in the budget 2019 allocation; when he plans to allocate funding for this project; the timeline for the completion of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48445/18]

DEIS Status

Pat the Cope Gallagher

220. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a school (details supplied) in County Donegal does not obtain delivering equality of education in schools, DEIS, status; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that all the surrounding schools within the same catchment area have successfully obtained DEIS status; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that similar socio-economic indicators and factors apply right across the catchment area and therefore there is no divergence of indicators which would lead to the school not receiving the required DEIS status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48237/18]

DEIS Status

Pat the Cope Gallagher

234. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to introduce a fairer system of designating DEIS status on schools; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the current system does not allow for direct inputs from the school authorities or broader school community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48336/18]

Brexit Issues

Pat the Cope Gallagher

519. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the implications for the Irish marine sector of the draft withdrawal agreement for Brexit between the EU and the UK; if the interests of the Irish fisheries sector have been protected within the context of the draft agreement; the measures which specifically will protect the marine sector within the draft agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48262/18]

Statutory Instruments

Pat the Cope Gallagher

520. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress he has made in preparing a replacement statutory instrument for serious fishing infringements as per the EU directive; the level of consultation he has held since May 2018 when the previous statutory instrument was rescinded by Dáil Éireann; the persons or bodies he has consulted with since May 2018 either within the fishing sector or Members of Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48263/18]

Fishing Industry

Pat the Cope Gallagher

523. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his position on the voisinage agreement which was agreed under the London Fisheries Convention 1964 and subsequently materialised under exchange letters of 1965 between both jurisdictions; his future approach to this agreement; the degree of engagement he has had with his UK counterpart since the Bill on the voisinage agreement was withdrawn from Seanad Éireann in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48410/18]

Telecommunications Infrastructure

Pat the Cope Gallagher

537. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the progress made in improving mobile phone signals throughout County Donegal since the publication of the report of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce in January 2017; the specific measures and progress made from the date of publication to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47911/18]

Telecommunications Services Provision

Pat the Cope Gallagher

540. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to prioritise rural areas in the terms and conditions before allocating the 5G licences to the respective companies; the way in which he plans to favourably discriminate towards rural areas that currently have poor or no service at all when allocating these respective licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48086/18]

Nursing Home Accommodation Provision

Pat the Cope Gallagher

183. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health if he is actively engaged in a process to guarantee the future of Lifford Community Hospital; if proposals are being considered for a replacement facility for the Lifford area in the context of post 2021; if so, the timeframe for such proposals; the details of the extent of proposals being considered for the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47262/18]

Library Services Provision

Pat the Cope Gallagher

267. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the Donegal town library, which was recently sanctioned; the timeline for the delivery and the completion date of this facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47279/18]

Hospitals Policy

Pat the Cope Gallagher

445. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health if the decision of January 2016 regarding hospitals (details supplied) made by the former Minister of State for older people has been officially rescinded and is no longer HSE or his Department's policy; his new policy on these two community hospitals in County Donegal; his plans being proposed; the timeline for the upgrading of community hospitals within the context of the existing capital plan 2016 to 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47112/18]

European Court of Justice Rulings

Pat the Cope Gallagher

1174. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the steps he is taking to address the discharge of sewage into the sea at various locations (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44996/18]

DEIS Data

Pat the Cope Gallagher

150. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the primary and secondary schools in County Donegal that have successfully obtained DEIS status and maintain DEIS status in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44380/18]

DEIS Data

Pat the Cope Gallagher

151. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the schools in County Donegal that do not have DEIS status in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44381/18]

DEIS Status

Pat the Cope Gallagher

152. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a school (details supplied) in County Donegal does not have DEIS status; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the surrounding schools to this school have DEIS status and that the same socio-economic criteria apply to all the schools in that hinterland but the school in question has not received DEIS status; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that perceived gross and unfair anomalies exist at present in the criteria and mechanisms used in awarding DEIS status; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that this is leading to many eligible schools failing to obtain DEIS status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44382/18]

Schools Building Projects Applications

Pat the Cope Gallagher

282. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Education and Skills to outline his plans to provide a new school building for a school (details supplied) in Donegal town; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the school is at maximum capacity and requires consideration for a new construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43494/18]

Primary Care Centres Provision

Pat the Cope Gallagher

408. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health the progress made on the PPP for Donegal town health centre; the further progress made since the confirmation of the intention to proceed with a PPP in March 2018; the timeframe for the complete delivery of this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43483/18]

Primary Care Centres Provision

Pat the Cope Gallagher

447. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health the progress made on the PPP for the Dunfanaghy health centre; the exact progress made since the confirmation of the intention to proceed with a PPP in March 2018; the timeframe for the complete delivery of this project moving forward; if a contract has been signed for the new building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43688/18]

Hospital Facilities

Pat the Cope Gallagher

472. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health his plans to reopen the short-stay unit at Letterkenny University Hospital; the timeline for the reopening of the unit; the number of beds planned for same; the timeframe for the recruitment of the new staff required for the short stay unit; if a budget has been ring-fenced for the unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43861/18]

Brexit Issues

Pat the Cope Gallagher

503. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the contingency plans he has drafted in the event of a no-deal Brexit; the interactions and negotiations he has had to date with EU coastal partners on this important matter for the fishing sector here; the engagements he has had to date with the fishing and marine sector specifically on the matter; the further actions he plans to undertake in order to have a robust contingency plan in place should a no-deal scenario result from the Brexit negotiations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43492/18]

Road Projects Status

Pat the Cope Gallagher

579. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to improve the Pettigo to Laghey Road (details supplied) in County Donegal; the progress made on this project since he met with a cross-party delegation from Donegal County Council earlier in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43854/18]

Road Projects Status

Pat the Cope Gallagher

580. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for a new bridge at Fintra, Killybegs, on the R263 in County Donegal; the timeline for the delivery of this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43855/18]

Jobseeker's Benefit Eligibility

Pat the Cope Gallagher

649. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the progress made on the report into part-time and seasonal workers rights and entitlements to obtain jobseeker's benefit which she is in receipt of for some time; the aspects of the report which she plans to incorporate into the social welfare Bill which is due for publication; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43693/18]

Seirbhísí Oileán

Pat the Cope Gallagher

719. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cad iad na pleananna atá aici chun feabhas a chur ar Ché na Reannaí ag Athphort ar oileán Árainn Mhór; an dtabharfaidh sí sonraí maidir leis na pleananna chun an togra a thabhairt chun críche agus aon dul chun cinn atá déanta aici ón am deireanach a chuir mé an cheist seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [43849/18]

Seirbhísí agus Tacaíochtaí Gaeilge

Pat the Cope Gallagher

720. 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, go háirithe maidir leis na poist bhreise a cheadaigh an tAire ach nár líonadh in 2017 i scoil (sonraí tugtha); cén fáth, i mBliain seo na Gaeilge, go bhfuil scoileanna ag fanacht ar chúntóir teanga le breis agus dhá bhliain; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [43850/18]

Seirbhísí Gaeltachta

Pat the Cope Gallagher

721. 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 dul chun cinn atá déanta aici ar an togra seo ón t-ám deireanach a chuir mé an cheist seo; 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. [43851/18]

Schools Building Projects Status

Pat the Cope Gallagher

63. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a school (details supplied); the progress made to date in delivering a new school building for the Gaelscoil; the timeline for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42108/18]

Schools Building Projects Status

Pat the Cope Gallagher

91. 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 progress made to date; the timeline for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42109/18]

Scoileanna DEIS

Pat the Cope Gallagher

136. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna cén fáth nach bhfuil stádas DEIS ag scoil (sonraí tugtha) go fóill, go háirithe nuair atá stádas DEIS ag na bunscoileanna friothálacha uilig atá in abhantrach na scoile agus a bhfreastalaíonn a gcuid daltaí ar scoil (sonraí tugtha) chun oideachas dara leibhéal a fháil, chomh maith leis sin tá gach scoil dara leibhéal i gceantar iar thuaisceart Ghaeltacht Thír Chonaill sa scéim DEIS Is mar a chéile an stádas socheacnamaíoch sa cheantar seo uilig, dá thairbhe sin, tá sé deacair a thuiscint cén fáth nach bhfuil stádas DEIS ag scoil (sonraí tugtha); agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [43002/18]

Scoileanna DEIS

Pat the Cope Gallagher

137. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna an dtabharfaidh sé achoimre ar na fáthanna nár thug a Roinn stádas D.E.I.S. do scoil (sonraí tugtha), go háirithe nuair atá a fhios aige go maith go bhfuil an stádas DEIS tugtha do na bunscoileanna eile sa limistéar céanna; an féidir leis soiléiriú a thabhairt ar na critéir i dtaobh an stádas seo a bhronnadh ar scoil amháin seachas ar scoil eile nuair atá an stádas socheacnamaíoch céanna ag baint leis an scoil (sonraí tugtha) agus a bhaineann leis na scoileanna eile sa cheantar; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [43003/18]

Scoileanna DEIS

Pat the Cope Gallagher

138. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna an dtabharfaidh sé cuntas ar na fáthanna gur theip arís agus arís eile ar scoil (sonraí tugtha); an bhfuil sé ar an eolas go bhfuil stádas DEIS ag gach bunscoil eile sa cheantar céanna, mar aon leis an meánscoil áitiúil; an dtabharfaidh sé cuntas ar cén critéir roghnaithe dhifriúla a bhain leis an scoil ós rud é go mbaineann na cúinsí sóisialta/eacnamaíochta céanna le habhantracht na scoile; an bhfuil sé sásta a admháil go ndearnadh botún tromchúiseach maidir le stádas DEIS a dhiúltú do scoil; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [43008/18]

School Accommodation Provision

Pat the Cope Gallagher

140. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to provide temporary additional accommodation for a school (details supplied); if the school will be provided with all the extra accommodation needs that it requires; the timeline for the completion of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43082/18]

School Accommodation Provision

Pat the Cope Gallagher

141. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a major capital works application by a school (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the school urgently requires major infrastructural improvement and expansion of school accommodation needs on a permanent basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43083/18]

Disadvantaged Status

Pat the Cope Gallagher

142. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a school (details supplied) has not been granted DEIS status; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that all surrounding national schools in the overall region have been granted DEIS status but this school has not; the details of the different selection criteria applied to the school in view of the fact that the same socio-economic factors and statistics apply within the school's catchments area as in the other areas which have been awarded DEIS status for their respective schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43084/18]

Garda Deployment

Pat the Cope Gallagher

49. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí and reservists in each garda station in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42419/18]

Harbours and Piers Development

Pat the Cope Gallagher

34. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the Killybegs Harbour works will commence; if no delays have occurred on this project or that other harbour projects have been prioritised over Killybegs to date; the timeline for the Killybegs project moving forward; if the necessary funding is in place and ring-fenced for this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41262/18]

Fish Quotas

Pat the Cope Gallagher

36. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the recently published advice of an organisation (details supplied) which advocates a possible 68% cut in the mackerel total allowable catch for 2019; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the advice is totally flawed as the actual stocks are not in decline; the steps he will take to avoid coastal states adopting the flawed advice in order to prevent the wipe out of the pelagic sector; the bilateral discussions he has undertaken with other coastal states to date on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41261/18]

Roads Maintenance Funding

Pat the Cope Gallagher

185. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an application for emergency funding for the repair of the Ivy Bridge at Cloghan, Stranorlar, County Donegal, was received in his Department; if emergency funding for the collapsed bridge in order to carry out the repair necessary to reopen the bridge will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41630/18]

Harbours and Piers Development

Pat the Cope Gallagher

173. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the works proposed for Killybegs Harbour centre will proceed as planned in 2018 and 2019; if the next phase of the deep sea dredging works will be tendered for in the last quarter of 2018 as already committed to; if the funding for the project is ring-fenced and secure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41299/18]

Harbours and Piers Development

Pat the Cope Gallagher

174. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the €10 million required for the Killybegs Harbour centre is budgeted for in the 2019 estimates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41300/18]

Harbours and Piers Development

Pat the Cope Gallagher

175. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the timeframe for the tendering and complete delivery of the next phase of the Killybegs Harbour centre extension, specifically the deep sea dredging which will prepare for works, including the construction of the extension to the harbour and provision of a harbour wall; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41301/18]

Statutory Instruments

Pat the Cope Gallagher

494. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he has taken since SI 89 of 2018 for serious fishing infringements was rescinded by Dáil Éireann on 29 May 2018; the persons, interested parties, groups or organisations from the fisheries sector or other political parties he has met or liaised with since 29 May; the level of engagement his Department has had with all interested parties since the date of rescinding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40072/18]

Statutory Instruments

Pat the Cope Gallagher

495. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details on the amendments he is proposing for a replacement statutory instrument for serious fishing infringements as per EU obligations but taking due cognisance of the rights of the fishermen under Irish law and their respective constitutional rights as per Bunreacht na hÉireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40073/18]

Statutory Instruments

Pat the Cope Gallagher

496. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has consulted with the fishing sector since the rescinding of SI 89 of 2018 on the 29 May 2018; the consultation that has taken place with fisheries organisations or the sector since 29 May 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40074/18]

Departmental Legal Cases Data

Pat the Cope Gallagher

497. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the costs and State liabilities of the various court cases taken in respect of previous statutory instruments dealing with the penalty points system for serious fishing infringements; if the costs for the State surrounding cases (details supplied), other minor cases and the two judicial reviews of the SI will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40075/18]

Schools Building Projects Status

Pat the Cope Gallagher

390. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the proposed new development for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36902/18]

Scéim na gCúntóirí Teanga

Pat the Cope Gallagher

1450. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an bhféadfadh sí a dheimhniú go mbeidh €1.2 milliún, mar a fógraíodh i mí an Mheithimh, ar fáil anois do chlár na gcúntóirí teanga atá reáchtáil ag Muintearas agus Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne do na scoileanna Gaeltachta; cén dáta tosaithe a bheidh ag clár na gcúntóirí teanga i mbliana; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [36511/18]

Scéim na gCúntóirí Teanga

Pat the Cope Gallagher

1451. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an bhféadfaí cóip den tuarascáil a choimisiúnaigh a Roinn maidir le clár na gcúntóirí teanga a chur ar fáil; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [36512/18]

Údarás na Gaeltachta

Pat the Cope Gallagher

1461. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén maoiniú atá ar fáil i mbliana d’Údarás na Gaeltachta chun tacú le fiontraíocht agus chun fostaíocht a chruthú sa Ghaeltacht agus an gcuirfear airgead caipitil ar fáil chuige sin sa bhuiséad don bhliain seo chugainn mar atá geallta sa phlean forbartha náisiúnta; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [36824/18]

Údarás na Gaeltachta

Pat the Cope Gallagher

1462. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cé mhéad post atá ceadaithe go dtí seo ag Údarás na Gaeltachta sna Gaeltachtaí éagsúla agus cad iad na himpleachtaí atá ag an nganntanas maoinithe maidir le cur chun cinn na bpost seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [36825/18]