Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

State Bodies Data

Willie Penrose

368. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of vacancies in each State board under the remit of her Department in tabular form; the length of time each position has been vacant; and the reason for the failure to fill the vacancy in each case. [12692/19]

Voluntary Sector Funding

Willie Penrose

624. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the recommendations of the report Developing Funding Criteria for Volunteer Centres in Ireland will be implemented (details supplied); the options being considered; the timescale in which these decisions will be reached; if the necessary funding will be granted to services such as those in counties Westmeath and Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12042/19]

Small and Medium Enterprises Supports

Willie Penrose

675. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the impact the abolition of training rates is having upon small businesses that are under pressure due to significant rates of VAT, PRSI, rates and other costs in their attempt to employ young persons as an apprentice; if training grants will restored in such circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12041/19]

Abbey Theatre

Willie Penrose

20. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding certain subjects being taught by the one teacher across multiple schools further to recent reports; the subjects that are in particular demand; the teacher unions and representatives of teachers which have been consulted on these proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10877/19]

Public Sector Pay

Willie Penrose

58. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to review public service pay in view of the recently agreed deal with nurses; his further plans to open pay negotiations with trade unions and other social partners; if so, when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10640/19]

Pension Provisions

Willie Penrose

69. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans in respect of outstanding pension restorations that resulted as a consequence of reduction in pensions during the economic crisis; when pension reductions in respect of public sector workers with pension of under €35,000, under €70,000 and above €70,000, respectively, will be restored in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9970/19]

Public Sector Pay

Willie Penrose

165. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to consult with public sector unions in respect of public pay negotiations; if the recent negotiations with nurses will have a knock-on implication for other employees in the Civil Service; if so, the likely implications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9969/19]

Medicinal Products Reimbursement

Willie Penrose

142. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health when the Spinraza treatment will be made available to SMA suffers in view of the fact it is the only treatment available for this condition and it has been approved for funding across Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9951/19]

Social Insurance Rates

Willie Penrose

597. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position in relation to a teacher in circumstances (details supplied); if such persons who commenced in 1991 are not allowed to change their PRSI contributions and opt for a class A contribution; if so, if the person was to resign their post before 56 years of age and move to the private sector by which they would be compelled to pay a class A contribution would this then qualify them for a percentage of their current pension and the State pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9708/19]

Creative Ireland Programme

Willie Penrose

43. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the levels of Creative Ireland funding that is designated for supporting DEIS schools in 2017, 2018 and to date in 2019, in tabular form, by county; and the amount each DEIS school is receiving. [8692/19]

National Orchestras

Willie Penrose

51. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the contact she and her officials have had with members and representatives of the RTÉ Concert Orchestra; if members and representatives of musicians in these orchestras have been included in the working parties examining the potential transfer of the orchestras to the National Concert Hall; the progress made in this regard; and the stage plans are at to upgrade the National Concert Hall. [8693/19]

Schools Building Projects Status

Willie Penrose

84. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is satisfied with progress in relation to the completion of a school (details supplied); when the new school build will be ready to hand over to the school authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8834/19]

Railway Stations

Willie Penrose

173. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when a commitment given in September 2016 in Dáil Éireann to visit a railway station (details supplied) in County Westmeath to discuss possible ways and avenues of reopening same will be honoured; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8893/19]

Community Employment Schemes Supervisors

Willie Penrose

48. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to provide community employment supervisors with access to the same working entitlements as provided to public servants following the implementation of the Public Service Superannuation (Age of Retirement) Act 2018; if those who wish to continue to work will be permitted to do so; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8176/19]

State Pension (Contributory)

Willie Penrose

100. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when pension increases and back payments will be issued to those impacted by previous changes to the State pension system; her plans to address the difficulties being experienced by those affected by the website MyWelfare.ie; when paper application forms inviting pensioners to fill in gaps in their records will be available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8115/19]

Carer's Allowance Delays

Willie Penrose

102. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the steps being taken to fast-track applications for payment of a carer's allowance to new applicants in view of the fact that the need for the payment for those applying is immediate while the process for receiving access can be lengthy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8112/19]

Defined Benefit Pension Schemes

Willie Penrose

108. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of her plans to protect defined benefit pension schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8114/19]

Hospital Appointments Status

Willie Penrose

446. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be admitted to have an operation carried out at the Midland Hospital, Tullamore; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8402/19]

Tax Reliefs Availability

Willie Penrose

34. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance if he has considered the need for special tax incentives to allow small businesses to establish in areas outside of the main cities. [52144/18]

Insurance Costs

Willie Penrose

76. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance the steps he will take to accelerate the insurance reform programme in view of the significant damage that spiralling insurance costs are causing for community groups, voluntary organisations, charities and small businesses; the reason such perceived exorbitant premiums are being sought; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7383/19]

Public Sector Staff Recruitment

Willie Penrose

86. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress made to date in terms of appointments from the panels of competitions held for clerical officer in the Civil Service in 2018; when persons who have participated in the stage 3 of the selection process and are well placed on the panels for appointment on the counties Longford and Westmeath panels are likely to be reached in 2019; the number of persons recruited from these competitions in counties Longford or Westmeath to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7382/19]

Rural Regeneration and Development Fund

Willie Penrose

209. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when an application for aid pursuant to the urban and rural development fund from Westmeath County Council in respect of a project at Kinnegad, County Westmeath, will be finalised; when a decision will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7384/19]

Rural Regeneration and Development Fund

Willie Penrose

210. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when an application for aid pursuant to the urban and rural development fund from Westmeath County Council in respect of a project at Castlepollard, County Westmeath, will be finalised; when a decision will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7385/19]

Carer's Allowance Payments

Willie Penrose

254. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a carer's allowance payment for the 12-week period after the death of the carer will issue to a person (details supplied); if the matter will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6181/19]

Teachers' Remuneration

Willie Penrose

263. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason lower paid teachers, qualified post-2012 and working in a non-casual substitute position that do not get paid for holidays and so on, had incorrect tax deductions made to their salaries before Christmas 2018 and despite protestations, his Department has failed to rectify the position (details supplied); the steps he will take to refund all moneys due to these teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5700/19]

Work Permits Applications

Willie Penrose

309. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Question No. 289 of 29 January 2019, the steps she will take to have the application for general employment work permit assessed pursuant to the trusted partners programme and have same expedited due to the importance of the matter to the business (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5696/19]

CLÁR Programme

Willie Penrose

590. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the eligibility criteria for rural geographical areas for participation in the CLÁR programme; when the eligible areas will be reviewed and revised; the steps he will take to ensure that Ballynacargy village and its hinterland are included in the context of the socio-economic assessment of the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5704/19]

Defence Forces Remuneration

Willie Penrose

79. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the status of the review taking place within the consultation procedure in respect of restoration of the allowances and so on to members of the Defence Forces which were substantially reduced; his plans for full restoration of same without further delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4692/19]

Departmental Reports

Willie Penrose

287. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Question No. 230 of 13 December 2018, if a copy of the report of the archaeologist carried out in 2015 and the 2018 fieldwork results now to hand will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4685/19]

Schools Facilities

Willie Penrose

244. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he will take to expedite an application by a school (details supplied) for AFD facilities and a science room; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4396/19]

Work Permits Applications

Willie Penrose

289. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation when a work permit application by a company (details supplied) will be processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4397/19]

Disability Allowance Eligibility

Willie Penrose

583. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason the amount of tax paid is not allowed as a deduction in terms of the calculation of means in respect of a person applying for a disability allowance (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4398/19]

Community Enhancement Programme Funding

Willie Penrose

27. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the allocation of €132,385 for County Longford and €136,571 for County Westmeath under the community enhancement fund is set to increase in 2019; the way in which the allocation to each county was spent in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2828/19]

Rural Regeneration and Development Fund

Willie Penrose

30. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the projects approved to date in each county under the rural regeneration and development fund; when the next tranche of projects will be approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2826/19]

Charities Regulation

Willie Penrose

31. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to bring forward legislation to reform the Charities Act 2009 which disallows political activity such as that seen in a centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2827/19]

Charitable and Voluntary Organisations

Willie Penrose

37. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the independent review of the charitable status of Pobal will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2825/19]

CLÁR Programme

Willie Penrose

43. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the criteria applicable for the award of funding pursuant to the CLÁR programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2829/19]

Garda Vetting Applications

Willie Penrose

249. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps he will take to expedite an application for vetting clearance to enable a person (details supplied) to take up a job appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2756/19]

Garda Transport Data

Willie Penrose

266. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of new marked and unmarked Garda cars, vans and marked motorcycles that were allocated to the roads policing unit in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3017/19]

Prisoner Transport

Willie Penrose

267. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the transport fleet budget for the Prison Service in each of the years 2015 to 2018; the amount allocated for same in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3018/19]

Garda Transport Provision

Willie Penrose

268. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if funding has been made available in 2019 for the replacement of aircraft or helicopters in the Garda air support unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3019/19]

Garda Resources

Willie Penrose

269. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if funding has been made available in 2019 for the purchase of drones for use by An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3020/19]

Regional Development Initiatives

Willie Penrose

288. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the efforts being made to promote Mullingar, County Westmeath as an attractive centre for regional development and in particular for IDA led investment in the context of trying to achieve the target of increased employment opportunities outside of the cities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3103/19]

Enterprise Ireland Data

Willie Penrose

289. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of Enterprise Ireland clients in counties Longford and Westmeath in each of the years 2016 to 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3104/19]

IDA Ireland Data

Willie Penrose

290. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of IDA visits to counties Westmeath and Longford in each of the years 2016 to 2018; the level of IDA-supported jobs in counties Longford and Westmeath on 31 December 2018, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3105/19]

Brexit Supports

Willie Penrose

291. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of applicants that have applied for support pursuant to the various Brexit schemes; the amounts expended on each scheme to date, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3106/19]

Ministerial Meetings

Willie Penrose

522. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has met formally with a person (details supplied) since his appointment as Minister; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3016/19]

Córas Iompair Éireann

Willie Penrose

576. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the four vacant posts on the board of CIÉ will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3021/19]

Youth Services Funding

Willie Penrose

594. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the budget allocation under the youth service grant scheme in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3022/19]

Commemorative Events

Willie Penrose

46. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans for the upcoming centenary commemorations of the War of Independence, the Civil War, the 1st Dáil and partition; the estimated cost of these commemorations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1586/19]