Parliamentary questions

Asylum Support Services

Thomas Pringle

196. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when motions will be brought before the Houses of the Oireachtas enabling Ireland to opt in to the EU (Recast) Reception Conditions Directive (2013/33/EU); the outstanding measures to date required to demonstrate to the EU Commission Ireland's compliance with each article in the directive; the timeframe for the implementation of each measure until formal approval of Ireland's application to participate in the directive is given by the EU Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50852/17]

Departmental Funding

Thomas Pringle

298. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount of grant funding that was made available to a company (details supplied); when this was provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50226/17]

Health Services Staff Recruitment

Thomas Pringle

328. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health when a permanent child psychologist post will be filled for County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49911/17]

Health Services Staff Recruitment

Thomas Pringle

329. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health when the nursing post to cover maternity leave will be filled at a respite home (details supplied); the capacity at the centre; if it is open to full-time service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49912/17]

Occupational Therapy Staff

Thomas Pringle

330. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health when a number of HSE occupational therapist posts in County Donegal will be filled in view of the fact that there is only one occupational therapist for the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49913/17]

Maternity Services Provision

Thomas Pringle

405. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the reason midwife-led care options, including homebirth, midwife-led hospital units and birthing centres were not included as part of the national maternity strategy, Creating a Better Future Together 2016 - 2026; if his attention has been drawn to the inequalities facing pregnant women in County Donegal forced to give birth in exclusively obstetric-led units in Letterkenny or Sligo hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50299/17]

Occupational Therapy Staff

Thomas Pringle

407. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the number of posts filled for HSE occupational therapists in each primary care setting in County Donegal; the number of vacant occupational therapist posts in the county; the reason for the vacancy to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50310/17]

Public Transport

Thomas Pringle

550. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the rolling out of disability access bus stops particularly in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50168/17]

Road Traffic Legislation

Thomas Pringle

557. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to bring in legislation to amend section 41 of the Road Traffic Act 1994; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50347/17]

State Pension (Contributory) Eligibility

Thomas Pringle

661. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the way in which the total contributions approach to the calculation of the State pension, contributory, from 2020 will be carried out; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50330/17]

Wind Energy Guidelines

Thomas Pringle

705. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the evidence base and reasoning that has been used to arrive at a setback distance figure of four times the tip height from residential property with respect to visual amenity as set out at key aspect 2 in the preferred draft approach of the targeted review of the wind energy development guidelines 2006 published by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50240/17]

Wind Energy Guidelines

Thomas Pringle

706. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the legislative basis and specific statutory provisions under which circular letters Pl20 2013 and Pl05 2017 are issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50241/17]

Wind Energy Guidelines

Thomas Pringle

707. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if circular letters Pl20 2013 and Pl05 2017 are advisory in nature; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50242/17]

Wind Energy Guidelines

Thomas Pringle

708. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if statutory authority attributable to circular letters Pl20 2013 and Pl05 2017 is solely underpinned by the section 28 guidelines to which they refer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50243/17]

Wind Energy Guidelines

Thomas Pringle

709. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the policy and or objective in the wind energy development guidelines 2006 including specific references; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50244/17]

Wind Energy Guidelines

Thomas Pringle

710. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he has been informed of the recent position subsequent to April 2014 by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment regarding the proposed renewable energy export policy and development framework that is referenced in circular letter PL 20 2013 and endorsed by circular letter PL 05 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50245/17]

Wind Energy Guidelines

Thomas Pringle

711. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the action he has taken and the outcome in each individual case (details supplied) in which planning authorities altered wind-energy policies contrary to the advice contained in circular letter PL20/2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50246/17]

County Development Plans

Thomas Pringle

712. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the planning section within his Department had sight of and considered a report endorsed by the planning authority of County Donegal entitled submission in relation to amendment document Option 3 revised to the working draft county development plan 2014 to 2018 prior to making its submission to the draft County Donegal development plan 2018 to 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50247/17]

Wind Energy Guidelines

Thomas Pringle

713. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the wind energy development guidelines 2006 have been subject to strategic environmental assessment in line with requirements under the EU Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50248/17]

County Development Plans

Thomas Pringle

714. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his views on whether the replication of elements of policy by other planning authorities is a consideration that falls within the express or implied statutory obligations of a planning authority when formulating an overall strategy for the proper planning and sustainable development of its functional area; if so, the particular provisions within the Planning and Development Acts, associated regulations, guidelines or otherwise, that provide for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50249/17]

County Development Plans

Thomas Pringle

715. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the process followed by his Department in making a determination as to whether his recommendations have been complied with in the context of section 12(5)(a) of the Planning and Development Acts 2017 (as amended); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50250/17]

Hospital Services

Thomas Pringle

171. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the status of the future of long-term residential beds at St. Joseph's Hospital in Stranorlar, County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49813/17]

Hospital Services

Thomas Pringle

172. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if a report (details supplied) has been sent to HIQA or to the HSE's national social care division; if not, the timeframe for same; the reason for delays in drafting a plan for community hospital infrastructure for Stranorlar, Ramelton and Lifford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49814/17]

Refugee Data

Thomas Pringle

133. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the average amount of time it is taking to get a first instance decision on a protection application from the International Protection Office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49492/17]

Transport Support Scheme

Thomas Pringle

152. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health when legislation establishing the transport support scheme will be introduced in Dáil Éireann; the provisions to be included in the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49529/17]

School Excellence Fund

Thomas Pringle

193. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason no DEIS schools in County Donegal were included as part of the new school excellence fund launched recently; the criteria used to determine which DEIS school would receive initial funding; when he plans to roll out funding to include schools in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48797/17]

Rights of People with Disabilities

Thomas Pringle

254. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; the reasons for the delays to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48687/17]

UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Thomas Pringle

274. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the timeframe for Ireland's ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; the reason for the delay to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48986/17]

Garda Deployment

Thomas Pringle

279. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí attached to the Donegal Garda division as of 1 January 2017 and 1 November 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49210/17]

Proposed Legislation

Thomas Pringle

280. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to bring forward the passenger name record Bill 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49211/17]

Home Care Packages Data

Thomas Pringle

384. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of providing an extra 100 intensive home care packages in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49212/17]

Legislative Programme

Thomas Pringle

472. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to bring forward the cyber security Bill 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49213/17]

National Planning Framework

Thomas Pringle

516. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will meet with a group (details supplied) campaigning for a greater share of infrastructural capital investment in County Donegal; if he has given consideration to the much needed transport infrastructure required if County Donegal is to attract jobs and develop further; the way in which he intends to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48999/17]

Sports Capital Programme Applications

Thomas Pringle

517. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the grants available for a club (details supplied); if supports are available for the development of other clubs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49026/17]

Adoption Legislation

Thomas Pringle

539. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill 2016 will progress; and when it is likely to reach Dáil Éireann; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48970/17]

State Pension (Contributory)

Thomas Pringle

574. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the way in which her Department is addressing the shortfall in pension payments to women retiring since 2012 after changes were made in calculating pension entitlements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48967/17]

Housing Assistance Payment Expenditure

Thomas Pringle

628. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount of discretionary enhanced payments each month in each county since HAP was established and which are used to top up rental rates above local authority rent limits, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49035/17]

Rural Transport Programme Funding

Thomas Pringle

231. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of grant aid provided to the private company providing a service (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48641/17]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Thomas Pringle

221. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when an application for carer's allowance by person (details supplied) will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48407/17]

Disability Allowance Applications

Thomas Pringle

222. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when an application for disability allowance by a person (details supplied) will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48408/17]

Carer's Benefit Applications

Thomas Pringle

223. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when an application for carer's benefit by a person (details supplied) will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48409/17]

Departmental Investigations

Thomas Pringle

173. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department is conducting an investigation into alleged financial irregularities at a centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48012/17]

Education and Training Boards Expenditure

Thomas Pringle

174. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of education and training boards, ETBs, that are paid up members of an organisation (details supplied); if funds provided to ETBs by his Department are used to pay subscriptions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48013/17]

Occupational Therapy Staff

Thomas Pringle

299. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the number of empty posts resulting from occupational therapists currently on leave in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47783/17]

Long Stay Residential Units

Thomas Pringle

304. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health when the organisation (details supplied) will be informed of funding being made available as part of the mid term review of the capital plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47800/17]

Brexit Negotiations

Thomas Pringle

365. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of Brexit negotiations regarding the issue of access to fisheries for Irish vessels post Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47797/17]

Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme

Thomas Pringle

366. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if extra funding provided for the area of natural constraints scheme will be used effectively by targeting landowners with the worst natural constraints; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47799/17]

Defective Building Materials

Thomas Pringle

503. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the actions he has taken to date to address the problem of mica affected households since the report was published, particularly for the thousands of households affected by mica including over 500 council houses in County Donegal; when he plans to establish a redress scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47715/17]

Community Employment Schemes Administration

Thomas Pringle

243. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a charge of €100 for a community organisation in County Donegal that has a Tús participant working in the organisation is a countrywide charge or if this is a charge introduced by a company (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47352/17]

Fisheries Offences

Thomas Pringle

42. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he plans to sign a new statutory instrument that will bring into force a penalty points system for fishing offences and that will establish a points determination panel; if recourse to the courts will apply for fishermen and women with fishing penalty points; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47187/17]