Parliamentary questions

Public Sector Staff Retirements

Willie Penrose

282. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the public service superannuation (miscellaneous) provisions (amendment) Bill will be published and presented to the Houses of the Oireachtas for approval (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15534/18]

Psychological Services

Willie Penrose

874. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if increased funding and necessary resources will be available to deal with the significant waiting lists for psychology treatment for young persons in view of the fact there are currently over 7,000 children on a waiting list for such psychological interventions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15893/18]

Ash Dieback Threat

Willie Penrose

1113. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a report which has to be compiled by an official in his Department concerning the ash dieback disease in a person's (details supplied) plantation will be carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16093/18]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Willie Penrose

1425. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position on an application for carer’s allowance by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15535/18]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Willie Penrose

1448. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when an application for carer's allowance by a person (details supplied) will be determined and expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16091/18]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Willie Penrose

1449. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when an application for carer's allowance by a person (details supplied) will be determined and expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16092/18]

Disability Support Services Provision

Willie Penrose

1486. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason for a survey or consultation process with persons with disabilities and parents of children with disabilities and, in particular, those in receipt of domiciliary care allowance; if this process could permit an opt-in or opt-out option in the context in which parents might feel that their child on medical grounds is not able to participate in the workforce; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16824/18]

Tenant Purchase Scheme Review

Willie Penrose

1628. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when the review of the new tenant purchase scheme will be finalised; the changes which are proposed as a result of the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16820/18]

Flood Relief Schemes

Willie Penrose

124. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department is liaising with Westmeath County Council with a view to putting in place an appropriate flood relief scheme for Mullingar, County Westmeath, with a view to ensuring that adequate protection is put in place for Mullingar and its environs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14679/18]

Credit Union Services

Willie Penrose

86. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance the work being undertaken by his Department to implement the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach's recommendation that credit unions be able to lend to affordable housing bodies and local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13624/18]

Banking Sector

Willie Penrose

103. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance when the public banking investigation report will be published; the engagement his Department has in respect of this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13625/18]

Information and Communications Technology

Willie Penrose

276. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will promote a public awareness campaign targeting parents and children and young persons regarding the importance of digital citizenship and online safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14035/18]

Special Educational Needs Staff

Willie Penrose

285. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the SNA allocation for a school (details supplied) will be retained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14249/18]

Data Protection

Willie Penrose

288. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to bring forward appropriate legislation to hold technology companies accountable for the protection of data and requiring the timely removal of data when children and young persons are bullied and or exploited; his further plans to ensure a child's rights to be forgotten online; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14107/18]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Administration

Willie Penrose

451. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if the publication of the review of the pricing system for long-term residential care facilities will be ensured as recommended within the review of the fair deal scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14227/18]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Administration

Willie Penrose

452. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce an independent appeals mechanism within the fair deal scheme to provide third-party recourse for nursing home providers that cannot agree a fee with the NTPF and in order to ensure there is greater transparency to the fair deal pricing mechanism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14228/18]

Medical Card Eligibility

Willie Penrose

454. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has been refused a medical card; if this case can now be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14250/18]

Basic Payment Scheme Payments

Willie Penrose

497. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason there was a reduction of BPS payments due to a farmer (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14226/18]

Internet Safety

Willie Penrose

509. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the creation of a digital safety commissioner will be approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14046/18]

Family Resource Centres

Willie Penrose

560. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she has received a request to provide funding for the provision of a family resource centre for Longford town in 2018 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14229/18]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Willie Penrose

613. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position in relation to a review of an application for a carer's allowance by a person (details supplied) in view of the fact that same was submitted some time ago; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14225/18]

Sports Capital Programme Applications

Willie Penrose

303. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the next sports and community grants will be available to organisations and communities that wish to develop facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13237/18]

Stamp Duty

Willie Penrose

78. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance if the provision that permits stamp duty relief for land involving the sale and purchase of land by farmers, which facilitates such considerations and which was part of the Finance Act 2017 and was to be commenced by way of signature on 15 December 2017 and which further appears not to have been implemented to date, will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12136/18]

Immigration Status

Willie Penrose

330. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied) in relation to their application for a residence card under the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) Regulations 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12292/18]

Animal Welfare

Willie Penrose

703. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the number of open greenfield programmes involving milk production operating here; his views on the sustainability of such farming operations, which have animals living in exposed roofless cubicles, and which in the context of the climate conditions prevailing raise animal welfare issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12132/18]

Animal Welfare

Willie Penrose

705. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has sought a report from Teagasc in relation to its participation and role in the greenfield programme which leaves animals exposed to the prevailing weather; the number of such farming operations Teagasc is involved with; the names of its partners involved with it; the location of such farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12139/18]

Hospital Appointments Status

Willie Penrose

358. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the steps which will be taken to have a person (details supplied) admitted to hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11379/18]

Tax Reliefs Abolition

Willie Penrose

58. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance the steps he will take to restore tax allowance in respect of trade union subscriptions for persons who are affiliated to recognised trade unions (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10743/18]

State Pension (Contributory)

Willie Penrose

259. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the assessment procedure that applies in respect of a qualified adult dependant whose partner is in receipt of a full rate of a State (contributory) pension; the particular assessment that applies to capital including land and or income that the dependent spouse may have; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10744/18]

Cultural Policy

Willie Penrose

47. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the details of the €460 million phases programme of investment in national cultural institutions over the next ten years as outlined in the national development plan, by institution, project to be undertaken and estimated cost; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10025/18]

Arts and Culture Capital Scheme

Willie Penrose

62. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to expand the arts and culture capital scheme as mentioned in the national development plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10026/18]

Sports Funding

Willie Penrose

651. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department will pursue an application by an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10057/18]

Credit Union Lending

Willie Penrose

55. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance his plans to amend the Credit Union and Co-operation with Overseas Regulation Act 2012 to allow the credit unions lend to affordable housing bodies and local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9092/18]

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Willie Penrose

92. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills the length of time a person can receive a SUSI grant as a postgraduate (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9100/18]

Community Banking

Willie Penrose

50. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the report on public banking based on the Sparkassen model will be considered; when it will be published; the roadmap for implementation of this initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8506/18]

Action Plan for Rural Development Implementation

Willie Penrose

63. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when a status and implementation report on the Action Plan for Rural Development will be provided; the main progress made in 2017; the expected progress in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8510/18]

Rural Broadband Scheme

Willie Penrose

69. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the role of his Department in the roll-out of rural broadband; the responsibilities he has in this area; the action he has planned; the progress made to date by the implementation group on the mobile phone and broadband taskforce report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8507/18]

Community Services Programme

Willie Penrose

70. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of new programmes he plans to fund with the community services programme in 2018; if current service providers will continue to be funded; the timeframe for the next submission of applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8509/18]

Hospital Appointments Administration

Willie Penrose

164. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to contact the relevant authorities with a view to expediting an urgent appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9019/18]

Metropolitan Area Networks Programme

Willie Penrose

175. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 604 and 607 of 23 May 2017 and the report of the taskforce implementation group concerning taskforce action number 19, if the pricing review of the metropolitan area network or MAN is complete; his plans to publish the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9010/18]

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Willie Penrose

176. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has been notified of force majeure circumstance by a company (details supplied) in relation to its NBP commitment agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9011/18]

Telecommunications Services Provision

Willie Penrose

177. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 1008 of 13 July 2017, the top five blackspots by county for mobile coverage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9013/18]

Metropolitan Area Networks Programme

Willie Penrose

178. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the date on which changes to clawback arrangements of MANS enhancements were adopted; if the new arrangements were applied retrospectively from the date of adoption; if there is or likely to be a net cost to the State from this change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9014/18]

Broadband Service Provision

Willie Penrose

179. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of premises passed under the Eircom commitment contract in Q2, Q3 and Q4 of 2017 that were deployed by means of eVDSL, LR-VDSL or were otherwise not fibre-to-the-premises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9015/18]

Broadband Service Provision

Willie Penrose

180. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 587 of 23 May 2017, his plans to issue a policy direction to a body (details supplied) in relation to the coverage conditions, as opposed to the allocation method, or of spectrum licences in the 700MHz band; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9016/18]

Development Contributions

Willie Penrose

212. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the local authorities that remain non-compliant with the 2013 development contribution guidelines in relation to taskforce action number 8 and the progress report of the taskforce implementation group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9012/18]

Tax and Social Welfare Codes

Willie Penrose

40. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the changes she plans to implement following the publication of the report into tax and social insurance implications of intermediary employment structures and self-employment arrangements; her further plans to conduct a study to determine the number of persons who are in these arrangements due to the reliance on data based on a self-described determination in the CSO Quarterly National Household Survey in which persons may not realise they are, in fact, self-employed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8464/18]

Departmental Priorities

Willie Penrose

46. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the policy changes she plans to pursue in 2018; her priorities in view of the publication of the social impact assessment of budget 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8346/18]

Dormant Accounts Fund

Willie Penrose

61. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the amount of funding she sought from the Dormant Accounts Fund; the criteria for the selection of projects to receive funding; the number of projects that sought funding from her Department; if there was a public request for submissions; and the details of projects that sought funding. [8350/18]

Employment Rights

Willie Penrose

72. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to amend the Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2017 to reduce the look-back reference period to 13 months or less and narrow the bands of hours into which persons can be placed; and her further plans to provide a definition in law for casual employment. [8349/18]

Humanitarian Assistance Scheme

Willie Penrose

81. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she is satisfied with the operation of the humanitarian assistance scheme; the number of persons that applied for assistance following storm Eleanor; the amount awarded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8348/18]

Family Support Services

Willie Penrose

83. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the report on the working family payment to replace family income supplement will be published. [8347/18]

Tax Compliance

Willie Penrose

154. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons that paid tax in each of the past ten years as casual workers; if the Revenue Commissioners have specific practices and procedures to deal with the tax compliance responsibilities of casual workers and their employers; if so, the practices and procedures in this regard; if the normal PAYE rules including rules relating to cessation of employment apply to casual workers; if casual workers are self identified as such to the Revenue Commissioners; if not, if other information is also relied upon; if he and the Revenue Commissioners have satisfied themselves that the date provided to them accurately reflects the nature and extent of casual work in the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8636/18]

National Planning Framework

Willie Penrose

519. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the input he made to the national planning framework; the additional capital investment he has secured in the national development plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8367/18]

Walks Scheme

Willie Penrose

520. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the way in which he plans to meet the programme for a partnership Government commitment to double the number of walks in the walks scheme; the number of extra walk routes that will be added in 2018; the locations of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8368/18]

Western Development Commission Remit

Willie Penrose

521. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans for the Western Development Commission; the role it will have in relation to the national development plan; the work under way to address the depopulation of the counties under its remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8369/18]

Greenways Development

Willie Penrose

522. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to encourage and support the roll-out of greenways; the funding and policy support available under the outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8370/18]

Rural Transport Programme

Willie Penrose

66. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the proposals his Department is working on in conjunction with the NTA to deliver on action points 251 and 254 of the Action Plan for Rural Development to work with rural communities to assess and implement improvements to existing rural transport routes and develop new rural transport routes as necessary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54714/17]

Disabled Drivers Grant Eligibility

Willie Penrose

95. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance his plans to amend or change the terms and eligibility conditions for receipt of primary medical certificates particularly in cases in which persons seeking same are severely disabled but have not lost a limb or have other significant medical conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8036/18]

Cancer Services Provision

Willie Penrose

225. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if correspondence from a person (details supplied) has been received; if same will be given consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8034/18]

State Pension (Contributory) Eligibility

Willie Penrose

291. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) is only in receipt of a €202 contributory State pension in view of the fact they have made social insurance contributions since 1964-65; if their situation can be reviewed in the context of new proposals to deal with contributory State pension recipients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7926/18]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Willie Penrose

292. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) for carer's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7927/18]

Community Employment Schemes Eligibility

Willie Penrose

299. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to review the operation of the community employment scheme eligibility criteria; her further plans to facilitate persons on community employment schemes who are not in receipt of a social welfare payment in view of the fact their spouses are in full-time employment or in circumstances in which they may be engaged in self-employment such as farming; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8022/18]

Postal Voting

Willie Penrose

306. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if a postal vote facility is available for persons who may be registered in the constituency in which they reside but are attending third level education away from home and may not be able to return to vote in the upcoming referendum in May 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8035/18]

GLAS Payments

Willie Penrose

29. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his strategy to overcome intractable problems faced by thousands of farmers who still have not received GLAS payments; his views on the high level of complaints regarding the operation of GLAS payments; the actions he plans to take to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7226/18]

Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Payments

Willie Penrose

40. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the consultation with stakeholders will begin regarding the additional €25 million for the areas of natural constraint, ANC, payment; when a decision will be made on the way it will be allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7140/18]

Animal Identification Schemes

Willie Penrose

46. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the discussions held to date with the stakeholders relating to bovine EID tagging; the progress made to comply with the July deadline required in the EU regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7143/18]

Forestry Sector

Willie Penrose

61. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the contact he has had with Coillte about the current non-payment of forestry financial instalments due to contracted farmers; his plans to carry out an audit to ensure all lessors are being paid with correct contract terms in place; his further plans to meet Ireland's target of planting 7,100 ha of forestry a year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7141/18]

Livestock Issues

Willie Penrose

74. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason his Department introduced over-onerous conditions under the clean livestock policy for sheep in meat plants in the middle of winter; his plans to ensure that Teagasc can provide workable solutions in order that havoc can be avoided in factories; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7139/18]

EU Agreements

Willie Penrose

86. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the discussions held with the other member states which, along with Ireland, are deeply concerned regarding the impact of the Mercosur proposals to permit increased access to the EU prime beef market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7142/18]

Defibrillators in Schools Provision

Willie Penrose

226. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he will take to ensure that funding is put in place to enable each primary and secondary school throughout the State to acquire a defibrillator; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7411/18]

Beef Exports

Willie Penrose

478. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if prime beef will be sold by Irish meat plants to China in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7162/18]

Sheep Welfare Scheme

Willie Penrose

479. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied with the operation of the sheep welfare scheme; the amount spent in 2017; the projected spend in 2018; and the amount of the scheme funded by the EU. [7163/18]

Pig Quality Assurance Scheme

Willie Penrose

480. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to legally define the use of the term "free range pork" to provide assurance to both producers and consumers. [7164/18]

Brexit Issues

Willie Penrose

481. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to re-open the agriculture cashflow support loan scheme, following the closure of same in September 2017, with an increased amount of funding. [7166/18]

Telecommunications Infrastructure

Willie Penrose

521. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the impact a lack of broadband and mobile telephone signal has on farmers and agricultural contractors seeking to use technology such as GPS and other applications to implement smart farming; and his plans to address this. [7165/18]

Community Development Initiatives

Willie Penrose

611. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to outline the funds that will be available to enable elderly persons over 70 years of age meet for recreational and leisure pursuits and for social occasions on a regular basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7412/18]

Seniors Alert Scheme

Willie Penrose

612. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development in the context of the community alert system and the additional funding promised to expand same to outline the way in which the new scheme will operate; the amount of the charge that recipients of the scheme will pay after the first year of availing of same and for each year thereafter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7413/18]

General Medical Services Scheme Administration

Willie Penrose

215. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the position regarding medical card holders undertaking blood tests for the purposes of monitoring their health on a recurring basis; if a charge can be levied by the general practitioner carrying out such blood tests; if so, if it can be reclaimed through the PCRS for the purpose of reimbursement of outlays associated with such a charge; if such charges are consistent with the commitment given by the former Minister of State at his Department in Dáil Éireann on 3 December 2015 which indicated that the contract was clear and explicit in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6599/18]

Commercial Rates

Willie Penrose

299. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if, in respect of the rural incentive scheme, the rural rates alleviation scheme has been formulated and introduced for such rural based businesses, in view of policies announced by the former Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to help revitalise and bring jobs to rural Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6281/18]

Industrial Relations

Willie Penrose

120. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the steps he will take to have the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill brought forward for discussion to ensure that the staff representation of the Defence Forces are facilitated in same by having access to the State's industrial relations institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5970/18]

Industrial Relations

Willie Penrose

298. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation when she plans to bring the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill forward as priority legislation; the steps she will take to facilitate access to the State's industrial relations institutions by groups such as the Workplace Relations Commission and the staff representation associations representing the Defence Forces on foot of this proposed legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5971/18]

Primary Medical Certificates Applications

Willie Penrose

436. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to have a decision reviewed to refuse an application for a primary medical certificate by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5965/18]

Hospital Facilities

Willie Penrose

437. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health his plans to contract additional theatre facilities in part of replacement for theatre facilities at the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar, County Westmeath; the number of such theatres planned; the additional facilities that are planned to be provided by the HSE at this hospital as part of the overall development of same to accommodate the population of this area; the estimated capital expenditure that will be required in order to allow those facilities to proceed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5968/18]

TAMS Applications

Willie Penrose

493. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the case of an application for a TAMS grant by a partnership (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5966/18]

Beef Data and Genomics Programme

Willie Penrose

494. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the BGDP and suckle payment will be issued to a person (details supplied); if the payments can be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5967/18]

Broadband Service Provision

Willie Penrose

519. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when Castletown Geoghan, County Westmeath, will have broadband availability at reasonable speeds made available to persons and businesses in the area under the national broadband plan or a company's (details supplied) broadband plan for rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5969/18]

Action Plan for Rural Development

Willie Penrose

76. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the way in which his Department proposes to review planning legislation to allow the change of use of vacant commercial properties in cities, towns and villages including vacant or underutilised areas over ground floor premises into residential units without having to go through the planning process as outlined in point 6 of the Action Plan for Rural Development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54715/17]

Public Sector Staff Retirements

Willie Penrose

144. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when legislative change to permit persons in the public service and other jobs who wish to work beyond the normal retirement age of 65 years of age to do so on a voluntary basis will be implemented (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4957/18]

Naturalisation Applications

Willie Penrose

193. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if an application for naturalisation by a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4959/18]

Pension Provisions

Willie Penrose

283. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if, in the context of recent communications submitted to his Department regarding the situation pertaining to the regular wages scheme and the 1951 superannuation scheme, he plans to put in place an independently chaired stakeholder forum incorporating all of the interested parties to discuss and propose solutions in a collective fashion with a view towards ensuring that all the members of both schemes can avail of their pension entitlements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4923/18]

Pension Provisions

Willie Penrose

293. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if discussions have been initiated with the Pensions Authority with a view to seeking dispensation or relaxation of the conditions and restrictions imposed on pension scheme investments, which would permit the schemes to focus on investing for long-term gain rather than the current regulatory focus on government bond investment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4924/18]

State Pension (Contributory) Eligibility

Willie Penrose

296. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to outline the reason a person (details supplied) has only received €214 in State contributory pension from 17 May 2017; if this can be reviewed in the context of the person's contribution record and in particular in the context of the proposals to deal with the pension anomalies which have arisen particularly for persons that had a break in contributions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4946/18]

Departmental Staff

Willie Penrose

297. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to outline the status of the social welfare local office (details supplied) at Castlepollard, County Westmeath; if a person has indicated a desire to continue in a position for at least two years or more; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4958/18]

Commercial Rates

Willie Penrose

298. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government to outline his plans to implement a more equitable rates system which takes cognisance of the effective turnover of rural businesses, their locations and their ability to pay in view of the fact that if no alterations are made to the review system a significant amount of these businesses will close (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4947/18]

Credit Union Restructuring

Willie Penrose

78. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to a report (details supplied); his plans to address the problems highlighted in the report; his further plans to ensure the sustainability of future growth of the credit union movement here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4301/18]

Personal Contract Plans

Willie Penrose

99. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance the investigations and plans his Department has in respect of the regulation of personal contract plans and ensuring persons have adequate information on the cost of PCPs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4300/18]

Banking Sector

Willie Penrose

168. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 11 of 30 November 2017, the progress of the public banking investigation; when the report by his Department and the Department of Rural and Community Development will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4042/18]

Driver Licences

Willie Penrose

193. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the date a person (details supplied) was issued with a full drivers licence by the appropriate driving licencing authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3843/18]

Gas Networks Ireland

Willie Penrose

136. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps taken to ensure that the supply of natural gas is available more widely throughout the midlands, particularly in the context of counties Westmeath and Longford in which significant towns and villages have been deprived of same due to the narrow criteria being utilised in the assessment of the requirement of these towns and villages for the supply to be put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3635/18]