Written Answers Nos. 164 - 173
164. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of positions from the rural social scheme that will be allocated to County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35409/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe purpose of the rural social scheme (RSS) is to provide income support to farmers and fishermen and women who have an entitlement to specified social welfare payments. The Government, as part of the budget package for 2017, announced 500 additional places on the scheme which will increase the overall number to 3,100.
A request for expressions of interest in additional RSS places was recently sent to all RSS Implementing Bodies. My Department intends allocating these places as early as possible in 2017 taking into account a number of factors. These include the number of places already allocated, the demand for new places in particular areas, work opportunities available in local areas and the numbers of farmers and fishermen and women in receipt of income support.
In allocating the additional places, the Government recognises the benefits the RSS provides for participants and their families, as well as the valuable contribution the scheme is making to the provision of services in communities across Ireland. It is not possible at this stage to give the exact locations where these 500 additional places will be allocated.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
165. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of landings by UK military aircrafts at Dublin Airport and other national airports, indicating which airport for each month in each of the years 2015 and to date in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35254/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order 1952 gives the Minister for Foreign Affairs primary responsibility for the regulation of activity by foreign military aircraft in Ireland. Permission must be sought in advance for landings by all foreign military aircraft and, if granted, is subject to strict conditions. These include stipulations that the aircraft must be unarmed, carry no arms, ammunition or explosives and must not engage in intelligence gathering, and that the flights in question must not form part of military exercises or operations.
My Department received seven requests for landings in Ireland by UK military aircraft in 2015. To date in 2016 my Department has received twenty requests for landings in Ireland by UK military aircraft, eleven of which were for the Red Arrows participation in the Bray Air Show.
Details of all requests for landings in the State by UK military aircraft in the period referred to are set out below.
|
2015 |
Landing Requests Received |
Month Request Received |
|
Casement |
4 |
March (2) and June (2) |
|
Shannon |
2 |
May |
|
Listowel |
1 |
April |
|
2015 Total |
7 |
|
2016 (to 14/11/16) |
Landing Requests Received |
Month Request Received |
|
Casement |
15 |
March (12), June (1) and July (2) |
|
Dublin |
4 |
May |
|
Donegal |
1 |
May |
|
2016 Total to 14/11/16 |
20 |
166. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department will refund a person (details supplied) for costs associated with replacing a passport that was lost by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35296/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person to whom the Deputy refers submitted two passports by post to the Passport Service. These passports were returned to him in a delivery envelope which An Post has recorded as having been delivered to his address. The person has been in contact with my Department and was advised that as the items are recorded as collected from the Passport Service and delivered to his address he should pursue the matter with An Post.
167. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of a person (details supplied) on the Public Appointments Service panel; the length of time the person may be waiting to be called; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35264/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware the Public Appointments Service (PAS) is the centralised recruiter for the Civil and Public Service. It is an independent, statutory body which provides professional recruitment and selection services.
It is the policy of the PAS not to discuss an individual's candidature for a campaign with anyone other than the candidate.
In this regard the PAS will contact the candidate and deal with him directly regarding the position.
168. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the circumstances that led him to change his decision not to sanction the reappointment of the CEO of Horse Racing Ireland to, three weeks later, deciding to sanction the reappointment of the CEO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35302/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 135, reference number 33951/16, on 9.11.2016.
169. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she will provide a list of the Údarás na Gaeltachta-supported companies in County Donegal that received moneys under the capital grants scheme in 2015 and to date in 2016, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35362/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy in relation to companies supported by Údarás na Gaeltachta in County Donegal that received moneys under the capital grants scheme in 2015 and to date in 2016, is provided in tabular format below.
|
Údarás Supported Companies |
|
Algaran Teo |
|
Arán Ard Teo |
|
Bá Dhún na nGall Teo |
|
Baile na Finne Plaisteach Teo |
|
Beachóga Dhún na nGall Teo |
|
Caoimhín Ó Gallchóir |
|
Cliabhain Có sta Teo |
|
Clós Bhád Mhíobhaigh Teo |
|
Coiste Éigse Sheáin Bháin Mhic Meanman |
|
Conal Ó Gallachóir |
|
Cuan Tamhnaigh Teo |
|
Donal Mc Monagail & a Mhic Teo |
|
Éadach Charn na nÉan Teo |
|
Emily Bazeley |
|
Euroflex Teo |
|
Feamainn Thír Chonaill Teo |
|
Feidhm Mara Teo |
|
Foilseachán na Mara Teo |
|
GSPK Circuits (Ireland) Teo |
|
Innealtóireacht PMC Teo |
|
Kombucha Éireannach Teo |
|
Máire Ní Chnáimhsí |
|
Máirtín Ó Breisleáin |
|
Meastóirí Domhanda Teo |
|
Millíní Admhaid Dhún na nGall ( l e clárú) |
|
Niall Haicéid |
|
Nuvotem Teo |
|
Oileán Glas Teo |
|
Paula Ní Fhlanagáin/JimÓ Donnchadh |
|
Próiseáil ( A n Clochán Liath ) Teo |
|
R.A. Pacáistí Teo |
|
Randox Teo |
|
Seán Mac Giolla Bhríde |
|
Sláinteachas & Lónadóireachta Dhún na nGall |
|
Snáth Dún na nGall Teo |
|
Tazetta Ltd |
|
The Veneerist Ltd |
|
Troscán Tábhairne Teo |
|
Uppiddee Ltd |
170. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that by the end of 2016 there will no longer be a nurse on the site of a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35266/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
171. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health if he will liaise with the Minister for Social Protection to ensure that the income guidelines for medical card applicants will increase to, at a minimum, reflect the increases in social protection in budget 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35282/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra175. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health if persons in receipt of a social protection payment, whose sole income is from social protection, will automatically qualify for a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35281/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 171 and 175 together.
In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE. The Act obliges the HSE to assess whether a person is unable, without due hardship, to arrange general practitioner services for himself or herself and his or her family, having regard to his or her overall financial position and reasonable expenditure and every application must be assessed on that basis. Under the legislation, having a particular illness, in itself, does not establish eligibility for a medical card and therefore, the medical conditions of applicants for this scheme are not monitored on that basis. Where the applicant's income is within the income guidelines, a medical card or GP visit card will be awarded.
If a person's only income is a means tested Social Welfare Allowance, he/she will qualify for a Medical Card.
There is a statutory obligation on the Minister to review annually the gross income limits for medical cards and GP visit cards for persons over the age of 70 years. Subject to the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, the gross income limits may be increased or decreased to reflect any increase or decrease in the Consumer Price Index.
172. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the funding in place for a project (details supplied) in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35314/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department administers a National Lottery Discretionary Fund from which once-off grants are paid to community and voluntary organisations providing a range of health related services. Funding in 2016 amounts to €3.286m of which €585,000 has been allocated to date.
An application for funding has been received from Virginia Men's Shed, Co Cavan, which is among a large number of applications currently being assessed by my Department.
I will decide on the allocation of the remaining funds in the coming weeks. Once a decision has been made, organisations will be notified of the outcome of their application.
173. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the details of applications by county for primary medical certificates under headings (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35354/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
