Parliamentary questions

Rural Regeneration and Development Fund

Dara Calleary

40. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of applications made under the rural regeneration and development fund to date per category; the number of applications granted funding per category; the funding approved for the scheme in 2019; the number and value of payments made to date for approved projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22891/19]

Rural Regeneration and Development Fund

Joe Carey

46. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the rural regeneration development fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22725/19]

Childcare Services

Anne Rabbitte

1. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the considerable capacity issues that exist within the childcare sector here, particularly with regard to the care of babies and toddlers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22403/19]

Domestic Violence

Denise Mitchell

2. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the measures she is taking to ensure safe oversight of child access in situations in which a parent has been accused of domestic violence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22337/19]

Children in Care

Anne Rabbitte

3. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps she has taken to address the concerns raised in relation to staffing and other standards at private residential care homes used by Tusla. [22404/19]

Childcare Services Provision

Gino Kenny

4. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to address the issue of crèches turning away babies and toddlers in favour of preschool children that are seen as more lucrative; if the extra €50 million will be provided to cover the gap in the new childcare scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22682/19]

Child and Family Agency Reports

Catherine Connolly

5. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 25 of 28 March 2019, when the report of the review panel which commenced on 16 May 2016 in respect of the care of three children in a foster home in County Galway will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22338/19]

Childcare Services Staff

Robert Troy

6. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the ongoing issues regarding remuneration and conditions within the childcare sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22689/19]

Affordable Childcare Scheme Implementation

Niamh Smyth

8. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the status of the affordable childcare scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21810/19]

Illegal Adoptions

Catherine Connolly

10. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 311 of 4 April 2019, the status of the final report on illegal birth registrations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22253/19]

Childcare Services Provision

Richard Boyd Barrett

12. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to deal with the accelerating crisis in relation to childcare places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22690/19]

Childcare Services Provision

Aindrias Moynihan

13. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to expand the availability of ECCE places in Cork city and county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22686/19]

Homeless Persons Data

Gino Kenny

14. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on the rise in the number of children and young persons experiencing homelessness in 2018; her further views on whether the 12.5% rise in the figure for homeless minors indicates that radical action needs to be taken to prevent the trauma and profound negative impact that homelessness has on young lives; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22693/19]

Childcare Services Funding

Bobby Aylward

15. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the level of engagement between her Department and the community-managed not-for-profit childcare service providers with specific reference to negotiations for funding agreements and funding rules in the context of recent compliance audits by Pobal (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21739/19]

School Completion Programme

Denise Mitchell

17. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she is satisfied with the progress of the school completion programme; her views on whether there are an adequate number of education welfare officers in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22202/19]

Childcare Services Provision

Aindrias Moynihan

33. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if parts of Cork city and county with rapidly growing populations will be prioritised for funding for the creation of new ECCE places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22687/19]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Michael Moynihan

1. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Taoiseach when Cabinet committee D, infrastructure, last met. [16722/19]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Eamon Ryan

2. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Taoiseach when Cabinet committee D, infrastructure, last met; and when it will next meet. [16738/19]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Mary Lou McDonald

3. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach when Cabinet committee D, infrastructure, last met; and when it is scheduled to meet again. [18733/19]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Brendan Howlin

4. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach when Cabinet committee D, infrastructure, last met. [19962/19]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Richard Boyd Barrett

5. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when Cabinet committee D, infrastructure, last met. [20547/19]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Joan Burton

6. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Taoiseach when Cabinet committee D, infrastructure, last met; and when it will next meet. [21731/19]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Mary Lou McDonald

7. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach when Cabinet committee F, national security, last met; and when it is scheduled to meet again. [17458/19]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Brendan Howlin

8. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach when Cabinet committee F, national security, last met. [17714/19]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Joan Burton

9. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Taoiseach when Cabinet committee F, national security, last met; and when it will next meet. [21732/19]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Micheál Martin

10. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach when Cabinet committee F, national security, last met. [21781/19]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Michael Moynihan

11. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Taoiseach if he will report on Cabinet committee F, national security,; and when it last met. [22087/19]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Mary Lou McDonald

12. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach when Cabinet committee A on the economy last met; and when it is scheduled to meet again. [18734/19]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Michael Moynihan

13. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Taoiseach if rural issues are allocated to Cabinet committee A on the economy; and when it last met. [20553/19]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Richard Boyd Barrett

14. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on the economy will next meet. [21770/19]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Brendan Howlin

15. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach when Cabinet committee A on the economy last met. [21782/19]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Brendan Howlin

16. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach when Cabinet committee A on the economy last met. [21850/19]

Mechanically Propelled Vehicles

Robert Troy

38. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of efforts to legislatively provide for the use of e-scooters here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22270/19]

Public Transport

Imelda Munster

39. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of progress of the public transport stakeholders' forum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22052/19]

Bus Services

Robert Troy

40. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the BusConnects redesign; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22271/19]

Rail Services Provision

Robert Troy

42. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of plans to increase rail capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22272/19]

Driver Licences

Robert Troy

43. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress with regard to allowing asylum seekers to apply for driver licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21995/19]

Road Projects Status

Pearse Doherty

44. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress being made to finalise preferred routes with respect to the TEN-T priority routes improvement project in County Donegal; and when the preferred routes design option will come before the local authority for approval. [21721/19]

Road Safety

Thomas P. Broughan

46. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to reduce speeding and aggressive driving on roads and streets here and to legislate for home zones or slow zones in residential estates and built-up areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21728/19]

Park and Ride Facilities

Catherine Connolly

47. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when park and ride facilities will be rolled out in Galway; the status of the work programme for the implementation of the Galway transport strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22095/19]

Transport Policy

Éamon Ó Cuív

48. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his policy priorities for the transport sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22062/19]

Sports Capital Programme Applications

Shane Cassells

49. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the point at which the large-scale sport infrastructure fund will be announced; and if an indicative list of preferential projects has been agreed to date between his Department and the major sporting authorities as to which should receive funding. [22097/19]

Rail Services Provision

Robert Troy

50. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the MetroLink project with particular regard to the cost of the revised route. [21998/19]

Freedom of Information Data

Joan Burton

1. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Taoiseach to set down the number of freedom of information requests received by his Department to date in 2019; and the number of requests fully and partially refused, respectively. [16349/19]

Freedom of Information Data

Mary Lou McDonald

2. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach to set down the number of freedom of information requests received by his Department in 2018; and the number of requests granted, partially granted and refused. [17456/19]

Freedom of Information Data

Brendan Howlin

3. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach to set down the number of freedom of information requests received by his Department in 2018 and to date in 2019. [21784/19]

Church-State Relations

Eamon Ryan

4. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Taoiseach his plans for a new covenant between church and State. [16388/19]

Church-State Relations

Mary Lou McDonald

5. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach his plans for a new covenant between church and State. [18732/19]

Church-State Relations

Richard Boyd Barrett

6. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach his plans for a new relationship between church and State. [20546/19]

Church-State Relations

Brendan Howlin

7. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach his plans for a new covenant between church and State. [21783/19]

National Digital Strategy Implementation

Mary Lou McDonald

8. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach the status of the national digital strategy being led by his Department. [16454/19]

National Digital Strategy Implementation

Brendan Howlin

9. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach the status of the national digital strategy being led by his Department. [16482/19]

National Digital Strategy Implementation

Joan Burton

10. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Taoiseach the status of the national digital strategy being led by his Department. [21730/19]

National Broadband Plan

Timmy Dooley

48. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the role of companies (details supplied) in the national broadband plan; the contractual and financial powers of the State with regard to these companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22060/19]

National Broadband Plan

Brian Stanley

49. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will seek a full cost-benefit analysis of all State owned alternative models to deliver the national broadband plan. [21700/19]

Climate Change Policy

Timmy Dooley

50. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the position with regard to the declaration of a climate and biodiversity emergency; the actions he will take in view of this decision; the status of the response to the report of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Climate Action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22061/19]

Air Pollution

Peter Fitzpatrick

51. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the measures he is putting in place to combat air pollution (details supplied); and the measures he is taking to reduce domestic solid fuel burning. [21787/19]

National Broadband Plan

Catherine Murphy

52. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of cost-benefit analyses undertaken before the decision was made to grant preferred bidder status to a consortium regarding the national broadband plan; if the analyses will be published; if the initial investment in the plan by the preferred bidder will be released in one block or in tranches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21733/19]

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Timmy Dooley

53. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the contract for the national broadband plan will be signed. [21777/19]

Online Safety

Tom Neville

54. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the implementation of the action plan for online safety; the progress made to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21484/19]

National Broadband Plan Administration

Timmy Dooley

56. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the cost-benefit analyses conducted by his Department or on behalf of his Department with regard to each alternative option considered for the national broadband plan; the cost of each of the options considered; the state aid considerations and the meetings and-or communications with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on these options; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21776/19]

Post Office Network

Brian Stanley

57. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views regarding the relocation of post offices from town centres to the outer fringes of towns and thereby accelerating the doughnut effect of towns. [21705/19]

Climate Change Policy

Thomas P. Broughan

58. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps he will take to implement the decision of Dáil Éireann to declare a climate emergency following the report of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Climate Action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21343/19]

Climate Change Adaptation Plans

Peter Burke

59. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps he is taking to ensure that a just transition is a key element of the forthcoming all-of-government plan on climate disruption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21476/19]

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Peter Burke

60. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of homes in County Westmeath that will benefit from the national broadband plan; the investment in the county over the duration of the plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21477/19]

Illegal Dumping

Thomas P. Broughan

62. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps he is taking to address the issue of illegal household dumping and of alleged highly organised illegal dumping of industrial and soil waste in areas of north County Dublin and Fingal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15749/19]

Crime Prevention

Jim O'Callaghan

1. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the actions he has taken to provide additional supports to An Garda Síochána to address a number of recent thefts of automated teller machines, ATMs; if tracking devices are being considered for installation in ATMs to address the issue; if additional Garda resources have been deployed to areas likely to be targeted; if he is satisfied that the mechanisms to facilitate cross-Border co-operation are in place in the context of tackling this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21172/19]

Legislative Measures

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

2. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to amend the Chemical Act 2008 to deal with the regulation of sale of corrosive substances; if legislation is required to deal with the use of acid as a weapon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21174/19]

Organised Crime

Jim O'Callaghan

3. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress made in tackling an ongoing feud in Drogheda, County Louth; if he is satisfied that An Garda Síochána has sufficient resources to tackle the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21173/19]

Domestic Violence Policy

Ruth Coppinger

4. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the introduction of a court order against harassment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21288/19]

Road Traffic Offences

Thomas P. Broughan

5. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the work he is undertaking to ensure that disqualified drivers do not continue to drive and that their licences are surrendered as mandated in the courts to the court clerk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21248/19]

Private Security Authority

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

6. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of his proposed legislation regarding regulation of private security personnel that fall outside the remit of the Private Security Authority. [20943/19]

Personal Injury Claims

Joan Burton

7. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans for a statutory cap on insurance compensation awards for minor injuries in view of the fact that the Personal Injuries Commission found that awards for minor injuries here are almost five times those paid in the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17830/19]

International Time Zones

Thomas P. Broughan

10. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the preparations his Department is making to prepare for the EU's harmonisation of daylight saving time in March and October 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20941/19]

Organised Crime

Bernard Durkan

12. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which he continues to combat organised crime, with particular reference to gangland activity and the induction of teenagers into a criminal lifestyle by crime warlords; the extent to which further resources are required in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21144/19]

Liquor Licensing Laws

Jim O'Callaghan

13. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the licensing Acts can be amended to provide a separate licence for venues which predominantly provide music; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21102/19]

Organised Crime

Bernard Durkan

18. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which the strength of An Garda Síochána is adequate to meet the challenges of organised crime; if particular issues have arisen that may require extra attention in the time ahead; if changes to the bail laws have resulted in an improvement in respect of recidivism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21145/19]

Personal Injury Claims

Thomas P. Broughan

19. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to investigate capping personal injury payouts; the way in which this will be achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17645/19]

Hospital Consultant Recruitment

Stephen Donnelly

1. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health his views on whether Ireland has a severe shortage of hospital consultants; his further views on whether a major reason for same is new entrant pay disparity; his plans to rectify same; the number of consultants employed at post-2012 pay rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21143/19]

Health Services Staff Recruitment

Louise O'Reilly

2. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the reason there has been a persistence with a recruitment embargo in the midst of a recruitment and retention crisis in the health service; and if his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons who were offered jobs are now being told that the positions are no longer available. [20932/19]

Disability Support Services Funding

Margaret Murphy O'Mahony

3. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the action he will take to address issues in the voluntary and non-profit sector which have been brought into focus by the difficulties currently being experienced by the Rehab Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21142/19]

Paediatric Services

Louise O'Reilly

4. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if the necessary staff have been recruited to ensure that the paediatric outpatient department and urgent care centre at Connolly Hospital can be operational from 8 a.m. until midnight, seven days a week, as was previously committed to. [20933/19]

Disability Support Services Funding

Alan Kelly

5. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the amount of the deficit in funding for section 38 and 39 disability organisations; if an organisation (details supplied) is the only organisation that has informed him of difficulties in funding and service provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21004/19]

Disability Services Data

Thomas Byrne

7. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Health the number of young persons with disabilities in County Meath seeking post-school placements at the end of the academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20917/19]

Hospital Facilities

Martin Heydon

8. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health the status of the progression of plans for new endoscopy and mental health units at Naas General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20880/19]

Home Care Packages Provision

Bernard Durkan

9. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which home care packages are being made available to patients who might otherwise need hospitalisation; the number to date approved in each of the regions; the extent of the funding given, required or pending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20879/19]

Health Screening Programmes

Stephen Donnelly

10. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the implications for the National Screening Service of the recent High Court judgment in a case (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20743/19]

Drug and Alcohol Task Forces

Maureen O'Sullivan

12. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the way in which he can address the immediate funding requirements of drug and alcohol task forces; if his attention has been drawn to the valuable contribution these task forces make particularly in areas of disadvantage; and the way in which he will continue to support them [20853/19]

Mental Health Services Staff

Eugene Murphy

13. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health if a number of senior staff members in Roscommon community mental health services have been transferred to County Galway; the reason for these positions being vacated; his plans for the replacement of these positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20493/19]

Home Care Packages Provision

Peadar Tóibín

15. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the overall number of persons waiting for home help services by county; and the average and longest wait. [20920/19]

Primary Care Centres Provision

John Curran

22. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the long delays in the delivery of a primary healthcare centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20646/19]

Health Screening Programmes

Louise O'Reilly

34. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health his views on the future of the CervicalCheck screening programme and other screening programmes in view of the High Court judgment for screeners to have absolute confidence in their finding before giving the all-clear when reading a test slide, even though every screening test has an intrinsic error rate. [20834/19]

Hospital Facilities

Bernard Durkan

215. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when he expects the outstanding phases of the Naas General Hospital development plan to be implemented in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21155/19]

European Council Meetings

Mary Lou McDonald

1. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach when Cabinet committee C, European Union, including Brexit, last met; and when it is scheduled to meet again. [15017/19]

European Council Meetings

Brendan Howlin

2. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach when Cabinet committee C, European Union, including Brexit, last met. [16384/19]

European Council Meetings

Micheál Martin

3. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the EU Council meeting held on 10 April 2019; the issues that were discussed; and if he had bilaterals before or after same. [16667/19]

European Council Meetings

Eamon Ryan

4. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent meeting with EU leaders. [17623/19]

European Council Meetings

Brendan Howlin

5. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his attendance at the European Council on 10 April 2019. [17715/19]

European Council Meetings

Brendan Howlin

6. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent telephone conversations with EU Heads of Government as indicated in his statement in advance of the special European Council of 9 April 2019. [17716/19]

European Council Meetings

Richard Boyd Barrett

7. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the EU Council meeting of 10 April 2019. [17788/19]