Parliamentary questions

Departmental Funding

Noel Rock

375. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department is in a position to provide further funding for the Ballymun Music Programme, an initiative co-funded by DIT; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24800/16]

Schools Establishment

Noel Rock

407. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Education and Skills if, in view of recent census data, the decision to refuse a new primary level non-denominational Gaelscoil for the north side of Dublin will be reviewed urgently. [24801/16]

Public Sector Staff

Noel Rock

879. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if there is a limit to the number of consecutive years an employee can work in the public sector as an outsourced member of staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24454/16]

Office of Public Works Properties

Noel Rock

894. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to set down the amount being paid per month on a lease of the building within which Harcourt Square Garda headquarters is contained; when this arrangement is scheduled to end; the contract details; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25026/16]

Alcohol Sales Legislation

Noel Rock

989. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill has been notified to the World Trade Organization under the technical barriers to trade agreement as a barrier to trade in the European Single Market; if he has considered the trade concerns raised by member states in the earlier notification to the European Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24808/16]

Vaccination Programme

Noel Rock

1013. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health the current position regarding the shortage of the BCG tuberculosis vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24410/16]

Alcohol Sales Legislation

Noel Rock

1109. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health the effect the notification of the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill to the World Trade Organization, under the technical barriers to trade agreement, has on the timeline for implementation; the consideration that has been given to the concerns raised by member states in the earlier notification to the European Commission; if amendments will be made to the Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24806/16]

Prescriptions Charges

Noel Rock

1144. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health if the HSE has plans to tackle the issue of persons overpaying for prescription charges (details supplied). [24979/16]

Public Bike Schemes

Noel Rock

1761. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if, in view of major infrastructural works taking place in the North West of Dublin, specifically the ambitious €230 million investment in new DCU facilities, he will liaise with Dublin City Council to provide for expedited capital investment in an expanded Dublin bikes scheme, provided the roll-out timeline is reconfigured based on changes since it was compiled several years ago. [24803/16]

Sports Funding

Noel Rock

1762. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a breakdown of the proposed spending by the GAA, €2.4 million, IRFU, €2.36 million and FAI, €2.7 million, of the €7.4 million investment by Sport Ireland in the grassroots development of gaelic games, rugby and football; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24804/16]

Light Rail Projects

Noel Rock

1763. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider expediting plans for the commencement of Metro North in view of a number of factors, not least the census results showing a remarkable increase in the north Dublin population, in addition to the announced intention of Dublin Airport Authority to pursue a second runway at Dublin Airport. [24807/16]

Sports Organisations

Noel Rock

1764. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will review the high costs involved in coaching education by national sports bodies (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24809/16]

Olympic Council of Ireland

Noel Rock

1779. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will confirm that the Olympic Council of Ireland has a constitution; and if he will provide a copy of this constitution. [25215/16]

National Minimum Wage

Noel Rock

1853. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she will give due consideration to exceeding the recommended 1% increase in the minimum wage as set out by the Low Pay Commission, in the context of sharp rises in rent and car insurance both of which affect minimum wage workers disproportionately. [24455/16]

Area Based Childhood Programme

Noel Rock

1924. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the status of funding for Youngballymun; if further supplementary funding will be allocated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24799/16]

Tax Reliefs Data

Noel Rock

150. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Finance the number of applications for tax relief in respect of the third level registration fee; the amount refunded in total to those persons qualifying for the relief; the way in which this compares with his Department's Estimates for this tax relief; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22335/16]

Income Data

Noel Rock

181. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Finance if the capacity exists to analyse income brackets per age group, for instance the number of persons aged 32 who are earning above the average industrial wage. [22331/16]

Third Level Funding

Noel Rock

260. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Education and Skills for a breakdown of the funding received by each third level institution from the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22328/16]

Third Level Fees

Noel Rock

261. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Education and Skills for a list of registration fees which are received from third level students on a national level, and also by third level institution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22329/16]

Third Level Costs

Noel Rock

262. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total cost of the provision of third level education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22330/16]

Third Level Costs

Noel Rock

263. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total funding received by the third level sector per year from 2006 to 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22332/16]

Third Level Fees

Noel Rock

264. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students who have paid registration fees each year since 2006; the amount raised by the Exchequer based on this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22333/16]

Third Level Participation

Noel Rock

265. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to safeguard third level access programmes for those persons from socioeconomic groups who have traditionally been excluded from such institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22334/16]

Third Level Funding

Noel Rock

266. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of subsidising third level institutions if the student contribution charge were reduced to €0, €100 or €250; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22336/16]

Medical Card Applications

Noel Rock

562. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health the position regarding medical cards for persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21944/16]

Legislative Programme

Noel Rock

481. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health to provide an update regarding when Parts 2 and 3 of the Children and Family Relationship Act 2015, will be enacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21600/16]

Pension Provisions

Noel Rock

149. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will reinstate and backdate a pension to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20245/16]

Hospital Appointments Status

Noel Rock

231. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health if he will bring forward an operation for a person (details supplied). [17566/16]

Olympic Games Qualification

Noel Rock

273. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to intervene in Athletics Ireland's decision to exclude a person (details supplied) from the three-man marathon team to represent Ireland at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, despite his having one of the top three fastest times for the marathon in Ireland. [17565/16]

Sports Funding

Noel Rock

271. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress of funding for Dalymount Park in Dublin 7, including when the renovation will start and finish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16452/16]

Crèche Facilities Provision

Noel Rock

284. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the details of correspondence from Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, on the payment of subsidised crèche places in north-west County Dublin. [16445/16]

Child Care Services Data

Noel Rock

285. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of applications she has received on the payment of subsidised crèche places in north-west County Dublin. [16446/16]

Crèche Facilities Provision

Noel Rock

286. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the correspondence from Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, in north-west County Dublin related to the payment for subsidised crèche places. [16447/16]

Primary Care Centres Provision

Noel Rock

183. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health the status of the much-needed primary care centre in Finglas, Dublin 11; and if he still has funding earmarked for it (details supplied). [16337/16]

Departmental Agencies Staff Data

Noel Rock

92. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Taoiseach the number of chief executive officers in semi-State companies under the aegis of his Department who are employed or not employed on a Hay contract. [15679/16]

Financial Services Regulation

Noel Rock

167. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Finance his plans to recommend to the Central Bank a change in mortgage rules, specifically in relation to the ratio of 3.5:1 that is set between borrowing and income. [15688/16]

Private Rented Accommodation

Noel Rock

252. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to initiate a change in tenancy laws so that tenants are still allowed to complete their lease, even if the landlord is selling the property. [15683/16]

NAMA Portfolio

Noel Rock

253. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to give the National Asset Management Agency a legal role to address infrastructural problems with land under its control. [15689/16]

Private Rented Accommodation Price Controls

Noel Rock

254. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to link rent increases and decreases to the consumer price index; given this, his plans to take account of inevitable regional variances between the rise of accommodation, for example, a 3% rise in County Roscommon where the average rent is €473 is very different from a 3% rise in Dublin where the average rent is €1,663; and his views that percentage-based increases will leave Dublin renters at a greater disadvantage than they are at present. [15690/16]

Mortgage Interest Supplement Scheme

Noel Rock

276. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to recommend the restoration of mortgage interest supplement to the Department of Finance or to the budget oversight committee in the Houses of the Oireachtas. [15684/16]

Rent Supplement Scheme

Noel Rock

277. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to recommend the restoration of rent supplement to the Minister for Finance or to the budget oversight committee in the Houses of the Oireachtas. [15685/16]

Mortgage Interest Supplement Scheme

Noel Rock

278. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to restore mortgage interest supplement in budget 2017. [15686/16]

Rent Supplement Scheme

Noel Rock

279. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to restore rent supplement in budget 2017. [15687/16]

Back to Education Allowance Eligibility

Noel Rock

307. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will include persons who are participating in part-time study courses under the back to education allowance scheme. [15682/16]

Semi-State Bodies Data

Noel Rock

372. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of chief executive officers in semi-State companies, under the aegis of his Department, who are employed or who are not employed on a Hay contract. [15678/16]

Semi-State Bodies Data

Noel Rock

516. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of chief executive officers in semi-State companies under the aegis of his Department who are employed or who are not employed on a Hay contract. [15675/16]

Semi-State Bodies Data

Noel Rock

548. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of chief executive officers in semi-State companies, under the aegis of his Department, who are employed or not employed on a Hay contract. [15676/16]

Semi-State Bodies Data

Noel Rock

571. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of chief executive officers in semi-State companies under the aegis of his Department who are employed on Hay contracts and non-Hay contracts. [15680/16]

Parking Charges

Noel Rock

576. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 882 of 31 May 2016, if he will introduce yearly set-fee parking discs to tax-abiding tradespersons for their commercial vehicles (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15741/16]

Semi-State Bodies Data

Noel Rock

619. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of chief executive officers in semi-State companies under the aegis of her Department who are employed on a Hay contract and the number who are not. [15677/16]

General Medical Services Scheme

Noel Rock

119. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the general practitioner visiting card scheme. [15078/16]

Driver Safety

Noel Rock

214. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on implementing a driver awareness course similar to that in the UK which would facilitate the rescinding of penalty points for participants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15079/16]

Road Projects Status

Noel Rock

641. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding can be sourced to provide traffic lights and a junction (details supplied) within the budget for 2017 following the loss of this funding due to planning objections in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14754/16]

Criminal Law

Noel Rock

118. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to set out the status of the Sexual Offences Bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14018/16]

Crime Prevention

Noel Rock

119. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she supports the potential introduction of a new date rape detector kit being available to buy in pubs throughout the country; if she will introduce legislation to provide for this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14019/16]

Departmental Properties

Noel Rock

292. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for data he has relating to lands owned or held in County Dublin by Dublin Bus, CIE and Irish Rail. [14017/16]

UN Conventions Ratification

Noel Rock

190. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when she plans to ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which was signed by the Government on 30 March 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12815/16]

Local Authority Funding

Noel Rock

400. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to re-establish the Dublin City Council extension grant which was discontinued in 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13523/16]

Diabetes Strategy

Noel Rock

744. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health when he will appoint a senior dietician to support those with diabetes in Dublin North-West constituency as dictated in the 2016 Health Service Executive service plan, which sanctioned the support of the implementation of the type 2 diabetes cycle of care initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13521/16]

Hospital Appointments Status

Noel Rock

745. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13522/16]

Broadband Service Provision

Noel Rock

832. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when fibre broadband will be available for Slaney Close, Dublin9, as it has been detrimental to a number of businesses operating there, as well as in the wider Dublin industrial estate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12816/16]

Regional Road Network

Noel Rock

881. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding can be sourced to provide traffic lights and a junction (details supplied) within the budget for 2017 following the loss of this funding due to planning objections in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13565/16]

Parking Regulations

Noel Rock

882. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will introduce free parking discs to tax abiding tradespeople for their commercial vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13566/16]

Stamp Duty

Noel Rock

96. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Finance to request the Revenue Commissioners to release stamp duty records (details supplied) from 1999 onwards, which are already compiled but unreleased, in electronic format. [11749/16]

Public Sector Staff

Noel Rock

369. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to stop rolling one-year contracts in the public sector whereby employees do not receive the same benefits as their colleagues, including incremental pay increases, pension rights and the right to apply for internal vacancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11489/16]

Health Services Staff Recruitment

Noel Rock

506. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health to hire two clinical nurses for the Finglas addiction support team which has had two applications pending since 2014, despite funding being agreed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11750/16]

Medical Card Applications

Noel Rock

185. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health to re-open an application by a person (details supplied) under the medical card scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11140/16]

Medical Card Applications

Noel Rock

186. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health to re-open an application by a person (details supplied) under the medical card scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11144/16]

Medical Card Applications

Noel Rock

187. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health to re-open an application by a person (details supplied) under the medical card scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11146/16]

Garda Station Closures

Noel Rock

136. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to include Whitehall Garda station in any review of station closures. [10430/16]

Disability Services Provision

Noel Rock

341. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Education and Skills the alternative arrangements on behalf of Down Syndrome Ireland in the event of the closure of its literacy classes at the Mater Dei Institute of Education on Clonliffe Road in Dublin 3 due to budget cuts by Dublin City University which operates the campus. [10687/16]

Office of Public Works Properties

Noel Rock

606. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if it is possible to relinquish the site at the former Whitehall Garda station, and if works there now prevent it from being converted into a Garda station. [10429/16]

Mental Health Services Funding

Noel Rock

955. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health his plans to ring-fence the budget for mental health services and to reverse recent cuts made to it. [10688/16]

Home Care Packages Data

Noel Rock

956. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, for home care packages. [10690/16]

Taxi Licences Renewals

Noel Rock

1160. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to submit draft legislation to automatically remove the licences of taxi drivers convicted of a crime which makes them unsuitable to drive a cab. [10689/16]

Departmental Schemes

Noel Rock

3. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the financial cost of restoring the telephone allowance, based on changed demographics and age profile. [8478/16]

Economic Competitiveness

Noel Rock

141. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on the National Competitiveness Council’s report Costs of Doing Business in Ireland 2016, which states Ireland is a high-cost location in which to do business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8491/16]

Prescriptions Charges

Noel Rock

245. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health to set down the potential cost to the Exchequer of a reduction in the prescription charge to €1 with a corresponding cap of €10. [8479/16]

Mental Health Services Funding

Noel Rock

347. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health his views regarding the recent change in ring-fenced funding for the budget for mental health services; and if he will outline the budget for mental health services for the years 2009 to 2015 and the projected budget for 2016. [8476/16]

Mental Health Services Funding

Noel Rock

348. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health the purpose the ring-fenced €35 million in new ring-fenced mental health funding was intended for; if it was allocated to anything specifically; and his views on the impact the €12 million reduction will have. [8477/16]

Road Safety Strategy

Noel Rock

491. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he will implement action 105 of the Road Safety Authority’s Road Safety Strategy 2013-2020, which states that all cars should carry compulsory breakdown emergency packs for vehicles, including a glass-breaking hammer. [8492/16]

Smarter Transport

Noel Rock

492. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the next smarter travel scheme round of grants will be made available; and if there is a possibility of including an expanded dublinbikes scheme into the Drumcondra and Glasnevin areas under the auspices of this funding. [8495/16]

Smarter Transport

Noel Rock

493. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will review the initial intended sequence of dublinbikes scheme expansions, as there have been clear changes in the demographics and transport needs of the city since this was first drafted; and his views that there would be a clear tourism and transport rationale to expanding it to the Glasnevin area. [8496/16]

Seized Property

Noel Rock

113. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Finance the cost of smuggling to the Exchequer; the seizures by category in 2015 and in 2016 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6719/16]

Excise Duties Yield

Noel Rock

114. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Finance to provide a breakdown of excise returns by category and by month for 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6720/16]

Child Poverty

Noel Rock

362. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the status of funding for a community project (details supplied) in Ballymun in County Dublin that wishes to restore resources for child poverty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7011/16]

Waste Disposal

Noel Rock

797. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the details of the green bin charges that will come into effect from 1 July 2016 and if there is scope to delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7010/16]

Electric Vehicles

Noel Rock

814. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the uptake in electric vehicles; the incentives in place to encourage uptake; his plans for future incentives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7009/16]