Parliamentary questions

Tenant Purchase Scheme Review

Willie Penrose

286. 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 this review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41164/17]

Departmental Funding

Willie Penrose

167. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if an increased budget will be made available to support the volunteering infrastructure; if in this context additional funding will be made available in 2018 for the volunteer centres in counties Longford and Westmeath that have a significant increase in activity in 2017 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41004/17]

Tax Code

Willie Penrose

90. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance if he is considering making changes to the forthcoming finance Bill to deal with past issues pertaining to other sectors of the agricultural industry, similar to those in the poultry industry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40689/17]

Tax Data

Willie Penrose

91. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance if he will release the microeconomic statistics for the relevant three-year timeframe pertaining to the calculation of the current flat-rate VAT repayment percentage of 5.4% with the calculation deriving therefrom; the amount of under or overpayment arising; if same was included separately in the economic accounts for European agriculture, EEA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40691/17]

Community Sector High Level Forum

Willie Penrose

100. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the high level forum which was established some seven months ago will make recommendations in relation to the provision of a pension or gratuity scheme for community employment supervisors and assist community supervisors in the context of a Labour Court recommendation which facilitated the awarding of such pensions gratuity and in circumstances in which many such personnel are now coming to retirement age and have just the old age State pensions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40692/17]

DEIS Eligibility

Willie Penrose

167. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills if in the context of a review of the DEIS programme eligibility, he will ensure that a school (details supplied) has its status changed to urban band 1 from its current status of rural; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40690/17]

Services for People with Disabilities

Willie Penrose

400. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the reason the HSE failed to reply to correspondence (details supplied); the steps that were taken to have this correspondence replied to and the matters raised therein addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40721/17]

Hospital Appointments Status

Willie Penrose

163. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) who has been assessed and who is deemed eligible to have non-elective surgery, in particular a right hip replacement, can have same expedited without further delay in view of the fact all the necessary assessments have now been carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40095/17]

Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Eligibility

Willie Penrose

174. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if lands belonging to a person (details supplied) will now be included in the ANC scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40101/17]

Low Pay Commission Remit

Willie Penrose

33. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to amend the remit of the Low Pay Commission to provide for the achievement of a living wage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39691/17]

Employment Rights

Willie Penrose

36. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to review the employment legislation that has been transferred to her remit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39643/17]

Social Insurance

Willie Penrose

42. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the steps she is taking to tackle bogus self-employment; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the amount collected under the national training fund levy on employers is nearly 9% below profile; if this is also impacting on employer PRSI returns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39646/17]

JobPath Programme

Willie Penrose

52. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to review the JobPath programme in view of the ongoing decline in the live register and the level of unemployment declining rapidly below official projections; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39645/17]

Pensions Reform

Willie Penrose

59. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the timeframe for publishing an action plan on pension reform; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39644/17]

Child Poverty

Willie Penrose

69. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the steps she will take to meet targets on reducing child poverty; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39642/17]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Data

Willie Penrose

508. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding paid to private nursing homes under the fair deal scheme for 2015 and 2016; the names of the nursing homes; the location of each nursing home in cases in which subvention has been paid; the amount paid to each participant nursing home on a per annum basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39715/17]

GLAS Payments

Willie Penrose

1392. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a low input permanent pasture grant a person (details supplied) will be paid to a person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38673/17]

GLAS Payments

Willie Penrose

1393. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a GLAS payment for a person (details supplied) will be issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38676/17]

Community Banking

Willie Penrose

1733. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the public banking investigation will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37976/17]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Willie Penrose

1910. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position regarding an application for carer’s allowance by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38674/17]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Willie Penrose

1911. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position regarding an application for carer’s allowance by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38675/17]

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Willie Penrose

1004. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of premises in respect of the monthly and milestone deployments under the Eircom commitment contract that have been served under the contract in each of the months April to June 2017, by means of EVDSL; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33718/17]

Metropolitan Area Networks Programme

Willie Penrose

1005. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 67 of 23 May 2017, if he will clarify or publish the terms of the contract under which he is enabled to extend a MANS concession by 11 years without a public tender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33719/17]

Telecommunications Services Provision

Willie Penrose

1006. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will report on the progress report of the task force implementation group; the local authorities that remain non-compliant with the 2013 development contribution guidelines in respect of task force action No. 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33720/17]

Metropolitan Area Networks Programme

Willie Penrose

1007. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the pricing review of the MANS network is complete in respect of task force action No. 19; further to Parliamentary Question No. 67 of 23 May 2017, his plans to publish the review; if so, the date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33721/17]

Telecommunications Services Provision

Willie Penrose

1008. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his Department has completed its review of the issue of mobile coverage blackspots in respect of task force action No. 40; his recommendations in that regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33722/17]

Telecommunications Services Provision

Willie Penrose

1009. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has received the report of the telecommunications operators concerning the introduction of Wi-Fi and VoLTE in respect of task force action No. 39; his plans to publish it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33723/17]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Willie Penrose

1197. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a carer’s allowance by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34216/17]

Disability Allowance Appeals

Willie Penrose

1198. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a social welfare appeal for an application for a disability allowance by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34217/17]

Disability Allowance Applications

Willie Penrose

1199. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a disability allowance by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34218/17]

Public Sector Pensions

Willie Penrose

173. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress that has been made to abolish the mandatory retirement ages for civil servants and others who wish on a voluntary basis to continue working in their employment; if the various Departments of State have reviewed this matter with the objective of advancing legislation to achieve this purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32732/17]

Assisted Decision Making

Willie Penrose

133. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the timeframe for the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Bill 2015 to be fully implemented and all sections duly enacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32055/17]

IDA Ireland Supports

Willie Penrose

76. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she will take steps to ensure that the IDA considers County Westmeath as an appropriate site for a data centre (details supplied) in the midlands in view of the fact that there are a number of viable locations in mid and north County Westmeath which could accommodate same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31825/17]

CLÁR Programme

Willie Penrose

155. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if an application for a grant by a group (details supplied) pursuant to the CLÁR programme in 2017 has been approved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31823/17]

CLÁR Programme

Willie Penrose

156. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the precise geographical areas in counties Longford and Westmeath that are designated as CLÁR areas; if she will provide maps to delineate same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31824/17]

Trade Agreements

Willie Penrose

479. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the discussions he has had with his EU counterparts and the European Commission to ensure that beef is not included in a potential Mercosur deal with South American countries in view of the fact that the United States Department of Agriculture, USDA, has banned fresh Brazilian beef, which clearly would likewise fail the appropriate EU standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31194/17]

Farm Safety

Willie Penrose

52. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the steps which are being taken by Teagasc, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the HSA to address the increasing trend in farm fatalities and accidents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27976/17]

Disability Allowance

Willie Penrose

280. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection if there are courses available of a rehabilitative and educational nature to a person (details supplied) who is in receipt of disability allowance on a long-term basis in view of the fact that the illness which they suffer from is incurable as described and whereby an opportunity in terms of rehabilitation might assist; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30703/17]

Invalidity Pension Applications

Willie Penrose

281. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for invalidity pension by a person (details supplied); if same can be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30704/17]

Broadcast Advertising Standards Regulation

Willie Penrose

227. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will introduce a comprehensive statutory system of regulation for online unhealthy food and drinks marketing directed at children; the way in which the State is complying with the World Health Organisation protocol on monitoring food and beverage marketing to children via television and the Internet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30511/17]

Hospital Appointments Administration

Willie Penrose

423. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if he will take steps to have a person (details supplied) admitted to the urological department of the Mater hospital in Dublin. [30139/17]

Sports Capital Programme Applications

Willie Penrose

519. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of a capital sports grant application by a club (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30140/17]

Tenant Purchase Scheme

Willie Penrose

641. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community 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. [30141/17]

Brexit Issues

Willie Penrose

4. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to ensure that single farm payments and the overall CAP budget are not affected in the current EU budget up to 2020 when the UK withdraws from the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28470/17]

Food Industry Development

Willie Penrose

20. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the supports which are available from his Department to support strawberry growers here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27974/17]

Sugar Industry

Willie Penrose

26. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether the loss of sugar beet production has represented a significant disadvantage to tillage farmers; if he will take proactive steps to revive the industry in view of the fact that farming in the UK is proceeding in this direction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27977/17]

Agriculture Cashflow Support Loan Scheme

Willie Penrose

27. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to introduce a second tranche of a low cost loan scheme administered through the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland and the commercial banks; if he will revise the terms and conditions of eligibility for participating persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27978/17]

Aquaculture Development

Willie Penrose

30. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he will publish the report on the aquaculture licensing process; his plans to legislate on its recommendations; his views on the recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27975/17]

Disability Allowance Applications

Willie Penrose

216. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for a disability allowance by a person (details supplied); if same can now be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29396/17]

School Accommodation Provision

Willie Penrose

538. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will take steps to ensure that an application for vital and necessary accommodation by a school (details supplied) is immediately progressed in view of the fact that there are not adequate facilities available to accommodate learning support, resource support and to facilitate teaching of the physical education curriculum regardless of weather; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27926/17]

School Textbooks Rental Scheme

Willie Penrose

653. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider in the budget for 2018 increasing funding for the school book rental scheme by €15 million; if he will implement the recommendation from the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Education and Social Protection made in 2013 to introduce a five year template for the delivery of an entirely free school book scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29109/17]

Fund for Students with Disabilities

Willie Penrose

654. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of expanding the eligibility to the fund for students with disabilities, the student assistance fund and the maintenance grant to part time students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29111/17]

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Willie Penrose

655. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will address the anomaly by which lone parents in receipt of rent supplement and the one parent family payments and jobseeker's transition payment who want to take up education or training are not eligible for SUSI maintenance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29115/17]

Student Grant Scheme Administration

Willie Penrose

662. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review the cuts to the student grant implemented in 2011 and 2012 and restore the distance of adjacent rate to 24 kilometres from the current distance of 45 kilometres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29110/17]

EU Agreements

Willie Penrose

910. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when he plans to implement Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data and thereby repeal Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation) which is due by 25 May 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29121/17]

Western Development Commission Membership

Willie Penrose

946. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when the vacancies on the Western Development Commission will be filled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27631/17]

Road Projects Status

Willie Penrose

947. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the discussions her Department has had with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport regarding the upgrading of the N4 west of Mullingar to facilitate regional development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27632/17]

Regional Development Funding

Willie Penrose

948. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the projects her Department is seeking financial support from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) 2014-2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27633/17]

Banking Licence Applications

Willie Penrose

949. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the discussions her Department has had with a group (details supplied); the technical assistance the group is willing to offer the Government in the establishment of a pilot public bank for the midlands region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27634/17]

Post Office Network

Willie Penrose

950. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the way in which her Department plans to oversee and monitor the implementation of actions to support the post office network arising out of the report of the post office renewal board and the post office hub working group as outlined in point 20 of the action plan for rural development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27635/17]

National Monuments

Willie Penrose

985. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the steps she will take to ensure that the remains of the oak wood roadway in Mayne Bog, County Westmeath is fully protected; her views on whether this area of national importance should be placed in the national record of monuments and places list; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28422/17]

Information and Communications Technology

Willie Penrose

1634. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the significant problems that arose with his Department's information technology systems which caused delays in payments in rural development schemes such as GLAS; if he can now reassure persons that all these problems have been rectified in order that there will be no recurrence in respect of the applications for schemes in late 2017 and 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27669/17]

Food Imports

Willie Penrose

1635. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of cattle and in particular the number of cows that have been imported from Scotland for direct slaughter in meat processing plants here from 1 January 2017 to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27670/17]

Commonage Land Use

Willie Penrose

1636. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the criteria being employed by his Department for land eligibility inspections on commonage and upland areas; the criteria the inspectors are employing in determining the eligibility of lands affected by the birds and habitats directive on designated Natura 2000 sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27671/17]

Energy Schemes

Willie Penrose

1728. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will publish the research and consultation on minimum energy efficiency standards in the rented sector as outlined in the Strategy to Combat Energy Poverty 2016-2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29105/17]

Inland Fisheries Ireland

Willie Penrose

1748. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason the policy document prepared in 2012 which involved the various angling associations (details supplied) and Inland Fisheries Ireland was not implemented despite the fact that the final draft of both policy documents received the support of national inland fisheries forum; the reason both documents were subsequently altered by Inland Fisheries Ireland to remove Lough Owel from the list of designated wild brown trout lakes without appropriate consultation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27057/17]

Inland Fisheries Ireland

Willie Penrose

1749. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason Inland Fisheries Ireland is reviewing the policies pertaining to management of pike and designated wild brown trout fisheries in view of the fact that policies which were agreed in 2012 and 2013 were never implemented and given an opportunity to work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27058/17]

Inland Fisheries Ireland

Willie Penrose

1750. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps he will take to direct Inland Fisheries Ireland to implement the pike and trout policies which were subject to agreement by the relevant parties in 2012 and 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27059/17]

Better Energy Homes Scheme Applications

Willie Penrose

1770. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a person (details supplied) can qualify for further grant aid; if some method of insulation can be provided under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27636/17]

Energy Schemes

Willie Penrose

1800. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will extend the warmer home scheme to landlords that agree to make their properties available to HAP participants for at least three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29103/17]

Better Energy Communities Programme

Willie Penrose

1801. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will consider putting in place public community energy advisers to engage and inform hard-to-reach energy users who would most benefit from energy efficiency and advice programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29104/17]

Fuel Allowance Payments

Willie Penrose

2116. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of increasing the rate of fuel allowance by €6.50 which would restore purchasing power parity of 2010 levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29106/17]

Child Benefit Data

Willie Penrose

2117. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider making child benefit payable to persons with children over 18 years of age that are enrolled in secondary school reflecting the higher educational costs for persons with adolescents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29107/17]

Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance Scheme

Willie Penrose

2118. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider restoring the back to school clothing and footwear allowance to the 2011 level of €305 for children over 12 years of age and €200 for children under 12 years of age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29108/17]

Back to Education Allowance Eligibility

Willie Penrose

2119. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will reverse the decision to means test income derived from part-time work for those in receipt of the back to education allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29112/17]

One-Parent Family Payment Data

Willie Penrose

2120. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will increase the earning disregard for the one-parent family jobseeker's transition payment to €146.50 to allow lone parents to take up and increase working hours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29113/17]

Jobseeker's Transitional Payment

Willie Penrose

2121. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider allowing lone parents in employment whose children are aged between seven and 14 years of age to receive both the jobseeker's transitional payment and family income supplement if they meet the qualifying criteria; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29114/17]

Back to Education Allowance Eligibility

Willie Penrose

2122. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will address the anomaly by which lone parents in receipt of rent supplement and the one parent family payment or jobseeker's transition payment that want to take up education or training are not eligible for SUSI maintenance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29116/17]

Social Welfare Benefits Data

Willie Penrose

2123. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost of introducing a higher rate of the qualified child increase for all social welfare payments to families with dependent children over 12 years of age and in particular, the cost of increasing same by €5 from €29.80 to €34.80; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29117/17]

Exceptional Needs Payments

Willie Penrose

2124. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will increase the budget for exceptional needs payments by €20 million from its current budget of €30 million up to €50 million for more exceptional needs for persons and families in low income; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29118/17]

Private Rented Accommodation Standards

Willie Penrose

2267. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the steps he will take to ensure sufficient resources are provided to local authorities to enable them to conduct the requisite levels of inspections of private rental properties to enforce current minimum standards for rental properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29119/17]

Housing Assistance Payments

Willie Penrose

2268. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will take steps to increase rent supplement and housing assistance payment limits to realistic levels in order that they are in line with market rents as a homelessness prevention measure and to protect tenants from having to make unsustainable top ups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29120/17]

Departmental Reports

Willie Penrose

120. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection if copies of pathways to work quarter 4 2016 published in December 2016 and the report on the analysis of the community employment programme published on 7 April 2017 will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26452/17]

Rail Network Expansion

Willie Penrose

227. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he will take to ensure that the reopening of the railway line between Mullingar and Athlone is included in the capital expenditure review programme in view of the fact it is an important link which would facilitate commuters between these two major towns and for onward journeys to other areas of the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26453/17]

Community Employment Schemes Administration

Willie Penrose

45. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to centralise the provision of insurance for community employment schemes within his Department to reduce the costs for sponsors and schemes. [25841/17]

Community Employment Schemes Administration

Willie Penrose

64. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to improve awareness of community employment schemes for those on the live register and other eligible schemes; his further plans for a public awareness campaign; and if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties that the JobsIreland website is causing for those applying to community employment schemes. [25839/17]

Community Employment Schemes Places

Willie Penrose

79. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to amend the JobPath rules to allow for referral of eligible persons to community employment schemes; his further plans to reduce the barriers limiting the number of eligible persons applying for community employment schemes; and the criteria used to determine if a person is eligible at 21 years of age or if the case officer has complete discretion. [25842/17]

Garda Vetting of Personnel

Willie Penrose

88. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to introduce a centralised Garda vetting system for community employment schemes similar to that operated by an organisation (details supplied) to address the additional cost this is imposing on community employment schemes. [25840/17]

Community Employment Schemes Administration

Willie Penrose

97. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to improve supports for the sponsors of community employment schemes; his further plans to increase the materials budget for community employment schemes, in view of rising insurance and other costs; and the way in which he plans to address cashflow issues for schemes. [25838/17]

Garda Deployment

Willie Penrose

159. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí serving in Counties Westmeath and Longford to date in 2017; her plans to assign a significant number of new recruits in 2017 to each of these counties when they have their full accreditation from Templemore; her plans to increase the number of gardaí in counties Westmeath and Longford in view of increased populations in these counties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24734/17]

Disability Allowance Appeals

Willie Penrose

307. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a social welfare appeal regarding an application for disability allowance by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24769/17]

Illness Benefit Appeals

Willie Penrose

359. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection when arrears in respect of illness benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) who was awarded same at a social welfare appeals meeting the result of which was conveyed to the person on 24 February 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24735/17]

Departmental Properties

Willie Penrose

387. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to utilise the significant site purchased on the Lynn Road, Mullingar, for the purpose of a planned decentralisation programme which was subsequently suspended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24739/17]

Leader Programmes Administration

Willie Penrose

412. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the steps she will take to streamline the process of administering grants and under the Leader programme to various groups; her views regarding the level of bureaucracy that is now attached to the scheme including the tardiness in ensuring that the approved schemes can proceed, which will minimise the impact for rural areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24738/17]

Vaccination Programme

Willie Penrose

537. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if in relation to the gardasil HPV vaccine, the reason persons are being denied the details from the manufacturing company by way of the manufacturer patient information leaflet, which outlines in detail the potential side effects in relation to same, and which are not listed on the leaflet furnished by the HSE; if he will acknowledge the right of persons to have all relevant information pursuant to the doctrine of informed consent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24741/17]

Vaccination Programme

Willie Penrose

538. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if, in relation to the use of gardasil HPV vaccine and the significant health side effects that have been documented by a number of persons that suffered as a result of vaccination, if he will put in place an appropriate and proper investigation of persons that became ill in the aftermath of the vaccination; the steps he will take to put in place an appropriate treatment and redress plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24742/17]

Broadband Service Provision

Willie Penrose

587. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans for a fee structure that would support a geographic coverage being applied to the allocation of the 700MHz spectrum band, in view of the role of the Minister for Finance under sections 13(5)(b) and 13(6) of the Communications Regulation Act 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24768/17]

Departmental Agencies

Willie Penrose

604. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 685 of 31 January 2017, the current book value of the metropolitan area network, MAN, asset portfolio; if the pricing review of the MAN asset portfolio under taskforce action 19 will include dark fibre and ducting services; the steps he will take to correct inappropriate pricing of these services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24763/17]

Mobile Telephony Services

Willie Penrose

605. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the coverage conditions of existing liberalised use mobile licences will be within the scope of the review in task force action 40; his plans to publish the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24764/17]

National Broadband Plan

Willie Penrose

606. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 694 of 31 January 2017, if he or his officials have had meetings to date in 2017 with, or been lobbied by, persons, businesses, public representatives, public bodies or communities on their prioritisation in the roll-out schedule of the national broadband plan; the details of any such meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24765/17]