Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Fishing Industry Development

Pat the Cope Gallagher

20. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if fisheries will be a priority for the Government in view of the recent submissions and presentations to the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine on the impact of Brexit on fisheries; the action the Government has taken to date in terms of highlighting the importance of fisheries with all of the other member states; if this matter was on the agenda for the meeting with the Spanish Prime Minister when An Taoiseach met him recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4849/17]

Jobseeker's Allowance Eligibility

Pat the Cope Gallagher

344. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Social Protection further to his commitment to review the issues and concerns for seasonal and part-time workers and their entitlement to jobseeker's benefit, the progress to date and the further steps he plans to take in order to solve the ongoing problems for these workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4580/17]

Hospital Services

Pat the Cope Gallagher

603. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health the progress to date on the initiatives undertaken by the HSE and his Department following his visit to Letterkenny University Hospital; the success of these initiatives to date; the reason the situation is worsening on a daily basis; the additional plans which will be put in place to solve these problems within the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4585/17]

Hospital Staff

Pat the Cope Gallagher

604. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health the status of the oncology department staffing at University Hospital Letterkenny; the impact the staffing will have on patient care in the future months both for existing patients and new referrals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4586/17]

Aquaculture Licences

Pat the Cope Gallagher

558. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the terms of reference of the newly established aquaculture licensing review group; if the review will involve a round of public consultation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3200/17]

Transport Infrastructure Ireland Funding

Pat the Cope Gallagher

609. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the budgets allocated to Donegal County Council from Transport Infrastructure Ireland in each of the years 2012 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3201/17]

An Clár um Fhorbairt Áitiúil agus Pobail

Pat the Cope Gallagher

294. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an soláthróidh sí liosta de na hiarratais reatha atá a bpróiseáil ag a Roinn faoi láthair ó Choistí Forbartha agus ó Chomharchumainn i nGealtacht Dhún na nGall mar aon le sonraí na hoibre agus meastacháin ar chostas na hoibre; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [40604/16]

Scéimeanna Rannach

Pat the Cope Gallagher

411. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cén líon iomlán clubanna óige atá cláraithe le hÓige na Gaeltachta Teo. sna limistéir Ghaeltachta éagsúla ó 2013 i leith nuair a aistríodh obair Óige na Gaeltachta go dtí Muintearas Teo. agus an gcuirfidh sí an t-eolas seo ar fáil agus é briste síos de réir líon Bhallraíocht A agus líon Bhallraíocht B; céard í an tsuim airgid atá íoctha, i gcomhair ballraíochta, ag gach club a luaitear thuas, ón mbliain 2013 i leith; an bhféadfaí taifead agus miondealú cuimsitheach a thabhairt ar na suimeanna airgid a sholáthair Óige na Gaeltachta Teo., agus Óige na Gaeltachta faoi choimirce Muintearas Teo., aisti féin do gach club as Tír Chonaill; an bhféadfaí taifead agus miondealú cuimsitheach a thabhairt ar an deontas iomlán airgid atá soláthartha ag Ranna Stáit d’Óige na Gaeltachta Teo. agus d’Óige na Gaeltachta faoi choimirce Muintearas Teo. as an státchiste ón mbliain 2013 i leith; an bhféadfaí taifead cuimsitheach a fháil ar an gcaoi ar caitheadh na deontais iomlána airgid thuasluaite; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [40075/16]

Scéim na gCúntóirí Teanga

Pat the Cope Gallagher

279. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cén fáth go bhfuil gearradh siar breis agus €41,000 déanta ar dheontas Muintearas (Iarthar\Iar-Thuaisceart agus Contae na Mí) i leith Scéim na gCúntóirí Teanga don scoilbhliain 2016/2017 ach, ag an am céanna, go bhfuil moladh déanta aici 13 scoil bhreise a bheith i gceist faoin scéim (4 cinn i nDún na nGall ); an ndéanfaidh sí cur síos ar an gclár ama do na poist úra seo atá geallta ag an Aire Stáit agus ar cathain a bheidh siad ar fáil; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [38671/16]

Legislative Measures

Pat the Cope Gallagher

5. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is proposing to introduce emergency legislation to rectify the non-constitutionality of the arrangements agreed in view of the recent Supreme Court judgment relating to the Voisinage arrangements as part of the London Fisheries Convention 1964; if so, the timeframe for introducing such legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37786/16]

Fish Quotas

Pat the Cope Gallagher

27. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the EU Commission’s proposals for white fish stocks; the steps he will take to ensure Ireland secures a sizeable and sustainable quota in order that the fishery industry is sustainable for fishermen in the year ahead; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37569/16]

European Court of Justice Rulings

Pat the Cope Gallagher

39. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he proposes to take in view of a judgment (details supplied) which found that the European Commission acted beyond its competences, ultra vires and without a lawful legal basis and to ensure that the Commission fulfils its obligations under Article 266 TFEU; his plans in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37570/16]

Garda Vetting Applications Data

Pat the Cope Gallagher

119. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to deal with the undue delays and backlog in Garda vetting at present, as the waiting period for clearance has lengthened in duration and is causing considerable annoyance and distress for applicants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37436/16]

Garda Vetting Applications Data

Pat the Cope Gallagher

120. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to deal with the undue delays and the ever lengthening backlog in Garda vetting for transition year students, third level students and students wishing to go on work placements; if she will explore the delegation of authority for such vetting to district level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37437/16]

Mobile Telephony Services

Pat the Cope Gallagher

184. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the terms of reference for the newly established Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce; the timeframe for delivery of its recommendations; the status the taskforce recommendations will have; if rural areas currently not availing of mobile phone coverage will be favourably looked at as part of the task force recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33900/16]

HSE Legal Cases

Pat the Cope Gallagher

113. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health if he will request the HSE to expedite a case (details supplied) brought against the executive and other companies, for damages for negligence, breach of statutory duty and breach of contract, in respect of a surgical procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33064/16]

Electoral Reform

Pat the Cope Gallagher

173. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will consider introducing a provision for early voting in future general elections and referenda in line with many other European countries; if provision will be made for those persons on holidays, those on pilgrimage or absent due to work commitments; his views on whether the present system of postal voting is out of date for a modern country and on the many alternatives which are working effectively elsewhere which still protect the integrity of the ballot and democratic process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32642/16]

Water and Sewerage Schemes Status

Pat the Cope Gallagher

179. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will provide a progress report on Gweedore sewerage scheme; the status and timeframe moving forward for its delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32758/16]

Broadband Service Provision

Pat the Cope Gallagher

416. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the progress made to date within County Donegal in the provision of rural broadband services; the projected timeframe for delivery of rural broadband services to all areas and parts of the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32853/16]

Broadband Service Provision

Pat the Cope Gallagher

417. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the measures being taken to improve the quality of mobile phone coverage within the State; his Department’s strategy for providing mobile coverage to areas which never had mobile phone coverage, such as areas in rural Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32854/16]

Clár Tógála Scoileanna

Pat the Cope Gallagher

57. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna cén dul chun cinn atá déanta maidir le scoil nua atá beartaithe do Ghaelscoil na gCeithre Máistrí, Baile Dhún na nGall, ón am a fógraíodh an togra seo ar Chlár Caipitil na Scoileanna; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [31080/16]

Aquaculture Data

Pat the Cope Gallagher

585. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of successful applications received and processed to date in 2016, for grant aid under the sustainable aquaculture and the knowledge gateway schemes for aquaculture; if successful applicants under these schemes are obliged to complete, pay and audit all eligible expenditure within the calendar year; the estimated total amount of funding which will be allocated to aquaculture in 2016; if any unspent funds under these schemes will be rolled over to 2017; and the areas in which any unspent funds will appear in his final Department's budgets and Estimates for 2017. [30357/16]

Aquaculture Licence Applications Data

Pat the Cope Gallagher

586. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated number of staff hours required in 2016 to process an aquaculture licence application by his Department; the estimated number of hours required to process a similar application in the early 2000s; and the reason, if applicable, for the increase in the required staff hours. [30358/16]

Scéimeanna Teanga

Pat the Cope Gallagher

336. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cén fáth a bhfuil breis agus €41,000 bainte de dheontas Mhuintearais (An Iarthar/An Iarthuaisceart agus Contae na Mí) i leith Scéim na gCúntóirí Teanga don scoilbhliain 2016-17 d'ainneoin go bhfuil molta aici 13 scoil bhreise a chur leis an scéim; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [29596/16]

Aquaculture Licences

Pat the Cope Gallagher

518. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the location or bays in County Donegal where appropriate assessments have been carried out in respect of special areas of conservation and the habitats directives; the location by bay, inlet or shore area in such cases as they have been completed as part of the screening process and lodged with his Department; the commencement and expiry dates and species type of shellfish aquaculture licences currently in force in County Donegal; the location by bay, inlet or shore area and species type of shellfish aquaculture licence applications currently under consideration by his Department in County Donegal; if each application under consideration by public bodies as co-ordinated by the aquaculture and foreshore division of his Department is open for consultation to the public, awaiting determination by him, granted but within the appeal period, or granted where the appeal period has expired; the current status of shellfish licence applications in the vicinity of Cruit and Kincasslagh, County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29530/16]

Aquaculture Licences

Pat the Cope Gallagher

519. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason an environmental impact assessment is not required for shellfish farming aquaculture licence approval within a special area of conservation, SAC, when it is required for approval of a fin fish farming licence within an SAC; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29531/16]

Garda Strength

Pat the Cope Gallagher

86. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí in the Donegal division at present; the way the numbers compare with the years 2008 and 2010, respectively; if she will provide a district-per-district comparative within the Donegal division; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28904/16]

Garda Strength

Pat the Cope Gallagher

87. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda reservists in the Donegal divisions at present; if she will provide a Donegal divisional district-per-district breakdown for the number of Garda reservists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28905/16]

Garda Stations

Pat the Cope Gallagher

88. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to reopen any of the Garda stations closed within the Donegal division due to cutbacks since 2010; the need to do so in order to strengthen community policing and combat rural crime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28906/16]

Garda Stations

Pat the Cope Gallagher

89. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to re-establish the former Glenties district headquarters following its amalgamation by the previous Government with two other districts within the Donegal division; the need to do so in order to strengthen the policing of west and south west Donegal; if she will provide a stronger rural-based policing service to the persons and rural communities of west Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28907/16]

Garda Vetting Applications

Pat the Cope Gallagher

90. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to speed up and deal with the delays at present experienced by those awaiting Garda vetting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28908/16]

Court Accommodation Provision

Pat the Cope Gallagher

91. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans for providing a new courthouse building for Donegal town, given that the current building is in need of replacement and not fit for purpose; her further plans and a site location for the new facility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28909/16]

Court Accommodation Provision

Pat the Cope Gallagher

92. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans for providing a new courthouse building in Dungloe as the present courthouse urgently needs replacement; if plans have been drawn up and a site location agreed for the new facility and if there is a timeline for replacement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28910/16]

Garda Stations

Pat the Cope Gallagher

93. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to provide a new Garda station for Donegal town, as the present station is in need of replacement and plans for a new station have been long promised; if a site has been identified; if plans have been agreed and drawn up regarding this new facility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28911/16]

Garda Stations

Pat the Cope Gallagher

94. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans for Dunkineely Garda station in the Donegal division and her plans for policing in the Dunkineely Garda station area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28912/16]

Rural Social Scheme Eligibility

Pat the Cope Gallagher

158. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to increase the number of participants and positions available on the rural social scheme from the present number of 2,600; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28902/16]

Court Orders

Pat the Cope Gallagher

124. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the current average length of time taken to process a case; the number of cases outstanding at present; the longest outstanding case awaiting resolution at present; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28637/16]

Hospital Services

Pat the Cope Gallagher

1391. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health the measures he proposes to introduce to deal with the overcrowding in the emergency department, operation cancellations, deferred surgeries and growing crises within the hospital over the past year in view of his recent visit to Letterkenny University Hospital; the additional resources and funding the Government is committing to the hospital; the action plan he proposes to put in place to deal with this crises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25921/16]

Hospitals Building Programme

Pat the Cope Gallagher

1443. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the rebuild of the Radiation Department at Letterkenny University Hospital; when it will be commissioned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26176/16]

Hospital Services

Pat the Cope Gallagher

1444. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health if he will request the HSE to provide a cardiac catheterisation laboratory at Letterkenny University Hospital; if he will provide the necessary funds for the employment of a cardiologist to service the laboratory; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26177/16]

Sheepmeat Sector

Pat the Cope Gallagher

1584. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to introduce a scheme to assist sheep farmers particularly those working on hills and commonages throughout the west of Ireland; if he has liaised with the European Union regarding this matter; the timeframe by which this proposed scheme could be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25920/16]

Summer Works Scheme Applications

Pat the Cope Gallagher

226. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Education and Skills when he will announce the second tranche of the summer works scheme for primary and secondary schools; if he is aware that many schools are urgently awaiting an announcement relating to mechanical works, toilet facilities, roof works, window projects, curricular requirement projects and other structural improvements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19742/16]

Summer Works Scheme Data

Pat the Cope Gallagher

227. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the primary and secondary schools in County Donegal he has approved for funding under the summer works scheme to date under various headings, including projects for special needs and emergency works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19743/16]

Social Welfare Payments Administration

Pat the Cope Gallagher

314. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps he will take to compensate social protection recipients who receive sterling payments with top-up payments from his Department in view of the decline in sterling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19684/16]

UK Referendum on EU Membership

Pat the Cope Gallagher

375. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the provision he is making to ensure that European funding such as INTERREG is maintained on a cross-Border basis, post-Brexit, as all Border counties depend greatly on such funds for development, social inclusion and community development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19685/16]

UK Referendum on EU Membership

Pat the Cope Gallagher

376. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the provision he is making to ensure that European Union funding such as INTERREG is maintained on a cross-Border basis post the exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union, given that all Border counties depend greatly on such funds for development, social inclusion and community development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19740/16]

Fishing Industry

Pat the Cope Gallagher

575. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the immediate contingency steps he will take to safeguard the interests of the Irish fishing sector following the decision by United Kingdom voters to leave the European Union in its recent referendum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19304/16]

Fishing Industry

Pat the Cope Gallagher

576. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the likely effect on the Common Fisheries Policy, and the effect this will have on total allowable catches and quotas, following the decision by United Kingdom voters to leave the European Union in its recent referendum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19305/16]

Local Authority Housing Mortgages

Pat the Cope Gallagher

226. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of housing loan applications that have been made and which were successful to each local authority in 2015 and in Quarter 1 of 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18524/16]

Social Welfare Code

Pat the Cope Gallagher

283. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Social Protection why he continues to correspond with persons in receipt of social welfare payments requesting them to consider opting for payment by electronic fund transfer despite the fact these same persons have indicated they want to continue using the post office; if he is aware of the importance of these transactions to the post office network; why he is continuing with this policy while a Government backed process is under way to secure and develop the post office network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18230/16]