Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

School Accommodation

Seán Kyne

821. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the additional accommodation needs and improvements that have been identified for a school (details supplied) in County Galway; if she is aware of the increases in enrolment that are forecast; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29100/15]

Schools Building Projects Status

Seán Kyne

823. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the current position regarding the construction of a new building for a school (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29106/15]

Tenant Purchase Scheme Administration

Seán Kyne

887. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a new tenant purchase scheme is under consideration by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29217/15]

Air Services Provision

Seán Kyne

965. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when a decision will be made on tendering for a new contract for the air service for Oileáin Árann; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29207/15]

Natural Heritage Areas Designation

Seán Kyne

966. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the steps being taken to de-designate natural heritage areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29216/15]

HSE Expenditure

Seán Kyne

17. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 105 of 29 April 2015, the progress to date at resolving the issue of outstanding payments for unsocial hours or twilight payments for health care staff in certain regions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27654/15]

Ambulance Service Response Times

Seán Kyne

36. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health the policies being pursued to increase ambulance response times in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27653/15]

Child Care Services Provision

Seán Kyne

24. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his views on the use of national school facilities as venues for preschool or afterschool service providers; if it will be considered appropriate for school authorities to undertake a tendering process for selection of a provider, should the decision be taken to permit the use of the school facilities particularly in the interests of fairness to all providers in a locality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27337/15]

Child Care Services Funding

Seán Kyne

29. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his views on whether tax breaks for child care, direct funding for child care services, or a combination of both, is more preferable to increasing the availability and accessibility of quality child care; if his Department or agencies under its remit are undertaking research into the experience of other countries regarding the different funding mechanisms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27340/15]

Construction Contracts

Seán Kyne

84. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the contracts for the construction of a public sector development (details supplied) in County Galway will be signed, given the recent contract signing of a very similar project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27895/15]

Public Transport Initiatives

Seán Kyne

245. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport , further to Parliamentary Question No. 603 of 6 May 2015, if he has received the recommendations from the National Transport Authority following the examination by the authority of responses to the public consultation on transitioning to a wheelchair accessible licensed bus sector; if the recommendations will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27894/15]

Garda Deployment

Seán Kyne

29. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide the assignment, by division, of the 99 new gardaí whose passing-out ceremony took place on 23 April 2015 in Templemore in County Tipperary; when the next class of recruits will be assigned for the next phase of training; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27052/15]

Beef Data Programme

Seán Kyne

214. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine with regard to the beef data and genomics scheme if he supports the concerns of pedigree breeders that the rules limit the possibility of importation of foreign bulls to help improve the genetics of the Irish pedigree herd; his views on whether the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation, in pursuing this policy, will cause stagnation in the Irish herd; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27655/15]

School Management

Seán Kyne

462. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the accountability of boards of management in respect of spending locally raised funds and in respect of capitation grants provided by her Department; if schools have to provide audited accounts; the safeguards in place to ensure moneys are spent appropriately; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26929/15]

Education and Training Boards Establishment

Seán Kyne

519. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a delegated sanction, permitted under the Act establishing the education and training boards, will be sanctioned to the Galway Roscommon Education and Training Board, which is required so that the board may appoint educational officers, principal officers and assistant principal officers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27704/15]

Broadband Service Provision

Seán Kyne

520. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of the success of the roll-out of high-speed broadband to secondary schools, if consideration will be given to a similar initiative for other training centres operated by education and training boards which have a lack of high-speed broadband coverage that impacts on the delivery of training; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27707/15]

Institutes of Technology Funding

Seán Kyne

521. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on providing capital assistance to Galway Technical Institute for modernisation, including an extension, particularly in view of the great value delivered by the institute to her Department, considering that it caters for almost 1,300 students at a cost equivalent to 900 students, due to a funding cap; if an extension to the institute is in her departmental plans; when the institute's accommodation needs were last reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27708/15]

School Enrolments

Seán Kyne

523. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on whether second level schools on islands should be treated as a special category for teacher allocations in recognition of the specific issues they experience in terms of pupil numbers, as well as challenges in providing the most basic curriculum; if a different allocation model is necessary; if, considering there are five second level island schools nationwide operated by the education and training boards, a change would not be financially draining; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27715/15]

Outdoor Education Centres

Seán Kyne

524. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on whether outdoor educational training centres operated by the education and training boards could be included in capital funding schemes for the purposes of refurbishment and updating, as they are presently excluded from such capital funding schemes; the reason they are excluded, and if there is recognition of the need to provide assistance arising from their importance to, among other things, the local economies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27724/15]

Natural Heritage Areas Designation

Seán Kyne

614. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the total area designated exclusively as natural heritage areas, without any additional designation as special areas of conservation or special protection areas. [27701/15]

Natural Heritage Areas Designation

Seán Kyne

615. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the process that must be adhered to in order to designate a natural heritage area; if any such areas have been de-designated in the past ten years; if a compensating designation mechanism can be explored to enable a de-designation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27702/15]

State Bodies Mergers

Seán Kyne

19. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in the context of the rationalisation, merging or abolition of over 180 State agencies to maximise the value for taxpayers, if his Department seeks to establish merged or new agencies in locations outside of Dublin which would promote balanced regional development and in view of the fact that agencies are more suited to being established away from Departments in view of their often autonomous nature; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26121/15]

Farm Safety Scheme

Seán Kyne

12. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on the operation of the new farm safety scheme; the number of applications under the scheme; his plans for reinforcing safety as opportunities are taken to grow and develop Irish farming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26099/15]

Common Fisheries Policy Reform

Seán Kyne

18. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on the operation of the change in the Common Fisheries Policy concerning the move towards a more regionalised decision making structure, which it is hoped will be more responsive and reflective of the needs of coastal communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26098/15]

Education Policy

Seán Kyne

125. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will report on the public consultation process on the new proposals for education in the Gaeltacht; when the process will be complete; a timeframe for the introduction of the proposals following the consideration of the consultation process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25755/15]

Educational Disadvantage

Seán Kyne

136. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the evaluation process under which a school is designated under the delivering equality of opportunity in schools scheme; if the evaluation process is subject to ongoing review; if schools not currently included in the scheme are eligible to apply for consideration, particularly in the interests of equity between schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25754/15]

Overseas Missions

Seán Kyne

22. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Defence if, in consideration of the hugely positive contribution that the Irish Naval Service is making in the Mediterranean area, he has had engagement with his European counterparts on a longer term solution to address the influx of persons; if he envisages an expended role for the Defence Forces in this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25116/15]

Commemorative Events

Seán Kyne

31. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Defence the involvement of the Defence Forces in the Ireland 2016 commemorative programme; and if the personnel involved will be drawn on a regional basis. [25115/15]

Tax Code

Seán Kyne

279. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Finance his plans to introduce a competitive income-based tax regime for intellectual property, the Knowledge Development Box; the number of submissions received by his Department as part of the public consultation process; and when it is envisaged that the next steps on the introduction of this important initiative will be taken. [25158/15]

Tax Code

Seán Kyne

280. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Finance with regard to the agri-taxation review and the measures contained therein, the progress at introducing the recommendations, such as increased land mobility, assisting with succession, new stock relief, and stamp duty exemption; and if further recommendations in the review are to be introduced. [25159/15]

Fisheries Protection

Seán Kyne

634. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide the text of the current by-law restricting the killing of sea trout caught by rod and line in the Connemara region; the population statistics justifying these restrictions; if he will provide a full explanation as to the way this by-law was drafted, published, and subsequently signed into law, including the public consultation procedure involved; the scientific reasoning behind the decision to restrict the killing of sea trout; and the publication dates, enforcement periods and copies of the relevant by-laws restricting the killing of sea trout in the western region since 1990. [25001/15]

Irish Language

Seán Kyne

34. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on the proposal within the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language on encouraging, on a voluntary basis, companies to produce bilingual packaging, in view of the fact that such a measure would heighten exposure to and awareness of the Irish language; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23875/15]

Departmental Schemes

Seán Kyne

28. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the status of the active towns smarter travel scheme; if this scheme will be open to new applications; the funding programmes available for initiatives that would meet the criteria of the scheme, such as improvements to pedestrian facilities, including footpaths and bridges beneficial to varied groups in communities, including schoolchildren; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23466/15]

Road Improvement Schemes

Seán Kyne

40. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the plans for the upgrade to the Oughterard to Maam Cross section of the N59, which is the primary route into north Connemara, and for which the National Roads Authority has allocated funding for 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23464/15]

Housing Data

Seán Kyne

29. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when it is envisaged that the national statement of projected housing supply and demand for this year will be published; if the statement will contain recommendations; and how these will be acted upon. [22321/15]

Banking Sector Regulation

Seán Kyne

73. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Finance if, as principal shareholder in Allied Irish Banks, he can confirm that the bank is currently considering outsourcing work and staff from the application and development management teams within its information technology division to a third-party service provider; his views on the concerns of staff and customers regarding the outsourcing of such business, in view of the centrality of information technology in day-to-day banking as well as the security of sensitive information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22716/15]

Hospital Staff Data

Seán Kyne

151. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health the staffing numbers, by type and grade, working at University Hospital Galway; the number of patients, both inpatient and outpatient, treated in 2014; the way the staffing levels at the hospital compare with other acute hospitals; and his plans to increase staffing numbers at the hospital in 2015. [22719/15]

Schools Building Projects Administration

Seán Kyne

15. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will report on the status of the five-year schools building programme; the number of schools on the original programme that have been completed or are on course to be completed this year; if a new programme is being prepared; and, if so, when it is envisaged it will be launched. [22025/15]

GLAS Eligibility

Seán Kyne

93. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a person (details supplied) will be considered for the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme, having failed to make an application due to technical issues with the scheme's website; if the fact that the person's planner attempted to complete the application on time will be taken into account, considering that the person was in contact with his Department's information and technology section; his views that it is fair that the person is excluded despite repeated attempts to join; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22559/15]

Air Corps

Seán Kyne

120. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Defence the progress on consideration of the report for the Emergency Aeromedical Support Service Establishment Group; when it is envisaged that a decision will be made arising from the contents of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21845/15]

Naval Service Operations

Seán Kyne

122. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on the involvement of the Irish Naval Service in the Mediterranean migrant crisis; the level of engagement he has had with his European counterparts in alleviating this serious issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21846/15]

Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility

Seán Kyne

206. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection pursuant to changes made under the Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2013 with regard to retained fire fighters accessing jobseeker's allowance and jobseeker's benefit, if those fire fighters, in training where a new fire station is due to open in the autumn (details supplied), may benefit from these changes now that they have commenced training; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21699/15]

Home Renovation Incentive Scheme

Seán Kyne

350. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Finance if the home renovation incentive scheme is being reviewed with a view to extending its life-span beyond 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22458/15]

Valuation Office

Seán Kyne

401. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he is satisfied with the current staffing levels of both the Valuation Office and the Valuation Tribunal, regarding the extensive workload in both offices, and the consequences for the task of setting valuations for counties other than the small number currently being examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22459/15]

Flood Relief Schemes Status

Seán Kyne

402. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will report on the status of a works scheme (details supplied) in County Galway, in view of the delay to the project; and when it is envisaged works will commence. [22460/15]

Public Sector Pensions Levy

Seán Kyne

404. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in view of the recently concluded Lansdowne Road agreement negotiations, when it is envisaged that legislation will be prepared and introduced to reverse the measures of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts on public sector pensions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22510/15]

Hospital Beds Data

Seán Kyne

884. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health when the increases in staffing levels and the number of beds agreed by the current staff and the HSE at the mental health unit in University Hospital Galway will be introduced, arising from the positive impact the extra resources will have on patients, family and staff of both the inpatient and outpatient sections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22511/15]

Mental Health Services Provision

Seán Kyne

885. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health the progress of the new mental health facility planned for the campus at University Hospital Galway. [22512/15]

Broadband Service Provision

Seán Kyne

1146. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to alter the national broadband map to take account of the announcement by Eircom to extend fibre broadband into more rural areas of counties, particularly in the West; and if his Department is in communication with Eircom in order that areas nearby but not included in that company's plans are not omitted from the national broadband plan. [22364/15]

Air Ambulance Service Provision

Seán Kyne

18. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in the examination of proposals to establish the emergency aeromedical support service on a permanent basis; and if discussions have taken place with the Department of Defence on this issue. [20762/15]

Medical Aids and Appliances Provision

Seán Kyne

41. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical device, Medtronic’s i-port advance injection device, and the primary care reimbursement scheme; if the substantially less invasive nature of the device and the easier method of treatment for young persons with diabetes has been taken into account regarding its introduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20763/15]

Private Residential Tenancies Board

Seán Kyne

175. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the length of time it is taking for the Private Residential Tenancies Board to issue determination orders; if he is aware that in some cases it takes nine months to issue such orders, which is a factor in the reduced numbers of properties available to rent in the private rental sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21202/15]

Child Care Services Provision

Seán Kyne

29. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps he and his Department are taking to increase access to child care, including increasing investment; if consideration is being given to utilising school infrastructure, where possible, to increase capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20405/15]

Preschool Services

Seán Kyne

32. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in the context of the welcome plans for Gaeltacht education launched recently by the Minister for Education and Skills, if his Department is playing a role in the development of a new approach for Gaeltacht schools by examining preschool facilities in Gaeltacht communities, in recognition of the impact preschool education through the Irish language will have on subsequent formal education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20404/15]

International Agreements

Seán Kyne

155. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will report on the progress of the ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combatting Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence; if she will also report on the work to date to ensure the victims directive may be transposed before the deadline of November; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20216/15]

Agriculture Scheme Administration

Seán Kyne

407. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the requirement that a horse must have given birth to a foal in the previous three years in order to qualify as suitable under the disadvantaged areas scheme was changed to a horse having given birth to a foal in the previous two years under the terms and conditions of the new areas of natural constraints scheme; his views that farmers who own horses may not be aware of this change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20324/15]

Single Payment Scheme Payments

Seán Kyne

410. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a farmer (details supplied) has not received payment for 2014 under the single payment scheme; if his Department has accepted the procedures followed by the applicant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20376/15]

Basic Payment Scheme

Seán Kyne

411. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason farmers with horse breeding enterprises, including those with Connemara ponies, were excluded under the new arrangements announced under the Scottish derogation with regard to the basic payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20377/15]

National Planning Framework

Seán Kyne

982. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to outline the progress of the national planning framework, which is integral to balanced development on a regional basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20854/15]

Cycling Facilities Provision

Seán Kyne

1045. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the usage statistics for the individual bike stations of the Galway bike scheme are available; and the frequency with which the statistics are collected. [20852/15]

Cycling Facilities Provision

Seán Kyne

1046. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the process that is followed, and the parties involved, in the expansion of bike rental schemes; the way new locations are selected; and if Government funding will be available for funding expansion. [20853/15]

Fishery Harbour Centres

Seán Kyne

191. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the outstanding charge levied in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; if it relates to the use of fresh water and waste facilities not used by the named person; if this fact has been taken into account; if this is a standard charge to all boat owners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19420/15]

GLAS Eligibility

Seán Kyne

37. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine with regards to the green low-carbon agri-environmental scheme, GLAS, the reason the presence of heather on a plot has meant that the plot is ineligible for the low input permanent pasture option of the scheme; if this decision will be changed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18674/15]

Infrastructure and Capital Investment Programme

Seán Kyne

27. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the level of analysis undertaken by his Department, and agencies under the remit of his Department on the availability of existing and possible future needs for infrastructure, such as roads, public transport and broadband in the western region, which are necessary to encourage investment, and promote indigenous job creation. [18411/15]

Infrastructure and Capital Investment Programme

Seán Kyne

28. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the way he and his Department communicated the need for new or upgraded infrastructure with other Departments and agencies responsible for providing or leading such investment; and if there are permanent lines of communication between the relevant parties in order that investment and improvements can be made without delays, which could impact on investment and job creation. [18414/15]

General Practitioner Services Provision

Seán Kyne

495. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health the reason a general practitioner (details supplied) was refused a rural practice allowance; the criteria on which this decision was based; the methodology used to determine the local population; the reason other general practitioners locally are being paid under similar population circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18569/15]

Pensions Legislation

Seán Kyne

76. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans regarding the rescinding of measures in the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2013, with particular reference to the impact of the legislation on pensions currently in payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17934/15]

Disability Activation Projects

Seán Kyne

13. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the measures her Department has taken in helping persons on support schemes such as illness benefit or disability allowance to re-enter the workforce; if supports will take into account the trial and error nature of returning to a different role or a different job; her views on the genuine concerns that people will not be able to access social welfare supports, should initial efforts to return to employment fail; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17280/15]

Public Services Card Data

Seán Kyne

25. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will report on the introduction of the new public social services card; the number of cards issued since the new system was introduced; and her plans that all persons in receipt of a social welfare support will receive one. [17279/15]

Agriculture Scheme Administration

Seán Kyne

201. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if entitlements for a deceased person (details supplied) are to be transferred to that person's nephew; and the procedure or information required in the absence of a will being declared by the deceased. [17223/15]

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Eligibility

Seán Kyne

202. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine with regard to the new areas of natural constraint scheme, the terms and conditions in place with regard to those persons who were precluded from the disadvantaged areas scheme in 2012, 2013 and 2014. because of stocking rate issues in 2011; if they will be accepted into the new scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17233/15]

Pension Provisions

Seán Kyne

260. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to change the timing of pensions for retired members of An Garda Síochána from a system of advance payment to one of arrears; if so, the rationale for this change; the timing of the proposed change; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17534/15]

Alcohol Pricing

Seán Kyne

424. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health regarding the plans for minimum unit pricing of alcohol, if his attention has been drawn to concerns, notwithstanding the positive implications of the legislation on public health, of the impact on artisan distillers and producers; and if consideration will be given to exempting duty free and travel retail, so as not to place such Irish businesses at a distinct disadvantage to international competitors. [17886/15]

HSE Staff

Seán Kyne

425. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health the plans of the Health Service Executive to introduce new procedures in order that retirements of staff in front-line services, which are known in advance, can be better prepared for, thus ensuring no gaps in service provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17887/15]

Flood Prevention Measures

Seán Kyne

586. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to address persistent flooding at a location (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17190/15]

Public Transport

Seán Kyne

603. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress of the public consultation process on wheelchair accessibility on public transport; if he will confirm the next step in this process; and when it will take place. [17862/15]

Wild Fires

Seán Kyne

16. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will report on the damage to protected European and national sites by this year's fires; and her views that changes need to be made to allow for more controlled burning during the year, to lessen the chances of large scale fires. [16823/15]

Seirbhísí Eitilte

Seán Kyne

22. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Seán Kyne den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil sí sásta an conradh maidir le Seirbhís Aeir d'Oileáin Árann a tharraingt siar mar gheall ar an imní atá ar mhuintir Árann maidir le sonraí an chonartha. [16833/15]

Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments

Seán Kyne

117. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a payment will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) under the agri-environment options scheme 3; if paperwork is in order; if an inspection is planned. [17084/15]

Inter-Country Adoptions

Seán Kyne

138. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the current status on securing a bilateral agreement between Ireland and Russia, which would facilitate inter-country adoptions; and if he will re-affirm his intention to secure such an agreement. [17105/15]

Medical Research Regulation

Seán Kyne

162. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health the funding and other mechanisms being pursued to encourage the development of non-animal alternative bioscience research methods knowns as the three Rs, replacement, reduction and refinement, to meet the obligations of Article 47 of Directive 2010/63/EU. [17109/15]

Medical Research Regulation

Seán Kyne

163. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health the outcomes from the collaboration between the Irish Medicines Board, renamed the Health Products Regulation Authority, and the European Commission regarding the identification and validation of alternative approaches to animal research that could be developed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17110/15]

School Completion Programme

Seán Kyne

89. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding school completion programmes, such as that operated successfully in Westside, Galway city; if he will confirm that funding will be allocated to ensure the continued operation of the programmes; if clarity on the funding will be forthcoming in order that plans for the next school year can be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16961/15]

HSE Expenditure

Seán Kyne

105. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health further to his comments in Dáil Éireann on 25 March 2015, the progress achieved by the Health Service Executive in its engagement on the issue of unsocial hours or twilight payments and section 38 and 39 organisations, which was to be concluded by 17 April 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16955/15]

Taxi Regulations

Seán Kyne

144. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on the take-up of the grant system for facilitating the adaptation of taxis and other such vehicles for persons with a disability; if the scheme will open to new applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16503/15]

Hydraulic Fracturing Policy

Seán Kyne

20. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the study under way on hydraulic fracturing; if he will re-affirm that no policy decisions on licensing will be considered until the study is complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16214/15]

Film Industry Tax Reliefs

Seán Kyne

137. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Finance if, following the amendments to section 481 concerning arrangements for film and television production, any examination on the impact of the changes has been carried out; if any reliefs extend to the development of film and television studios for the purposes of attracting new business into regional locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16811/15]

Urban Renewal Schemes

Seán Kyne

138. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Finance if he will report on the current status of the living cities initiative; if approval has been received from the European Commission; and if the initiative, which has significant potential for urban areas across all cities, is being sufficiently publicised. [16814/15]

Medicinal Products Availability

Seán Kyne

331. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health the status of the application received by the Health Service Executive for the inclusion of Fampridine on the community drugs scheme; when it is envisaged a decision will be made; and if he will confirm that the effectiveness of the medication on the lives of persons with multiple sclerosis is central to the decision-making process. [16788/15]

Tobacco Control Measures

Seán Kyne

332. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health the current legal position on the sale of cigarettes in packets greater than 20, such as 25, which are available at a price of just 10% more than 20; his plans to standardise quantities permitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16789/15]

Mental Health Services Funding

Seán Kyne

339. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm the current staffing levels for mental health services in County Galway; the budgetary amount for mental health services in the area formerly referred to as Health Service Executive west for each year since 2011; and if he will provide an outline of the increases in staff numbers. [16810/15]

National Dementia Strategy

Seán Kyne

341. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the progress of implementing the national dementia strategy which was introduced in December 2014; if a specific portion of the Health Service Executive budget is being targeted at this, or if the measures within the strategy are to be achieved through existing budgetary structures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16815/15]

Housing Assistance Payments Data

Seán Kyne

16. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will report on the introduction of the housing assistance payment; the numbers of local authorities and households participating; and when the scheme will be extended to other areas such as County Galway. [15679/15]

Building Regulations Amendments

Seán Kyne

21. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the progress of the review of the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014, to ensure that these regulations do not prohibitively impact on the building of homes, particularly one-off builds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15684/15]

Preschool Services

Seán Kyne

127. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position in relation to the free preschool year (details supplied), and his view on concerns regarding the current criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16107/15]

Health Services Staff Recruitment

Seán Kyne

129. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the provision of an ophthalmologist for a location in County Galway; the practice of replacing staff who have retired; if the practice will be improved through earlier preparation, in advance of such retirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15998/15]

Overseas Development Aid

Seán Kyne

192. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade with reference to the global island policy framework, his plans on reaching the United Nations target of providing 0.7% of gross national product for development assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15277/15]

Climate Change Policy

Seán Kyne

200. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in recognition of the effects of climate change, which have impacted on Ireland through the severe Atlantic storms of last winter and which impact significantly on developing nations, the steps his Department is taking in promoting climate justice, including the work to secure international agreement in 2015. [15276/15]

Tax Exemptions

Seán Kyne

310. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Finance the applicability of value-added tax to the activities of Outdoor Education Ireland; if the organisation operated on behalf of the education and training boards is exempted from this tax for some business operations; if so, if this is in keeping with fair competition, in view of the number of small and medium-sized enterprises operating in this sector, and their importance to rural communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15807/15]

Tax Code

Seán Kyne

311. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that the operation of the single-person child carer tax credit, which replaced the one-parent family tax credit, has negatively impacted on some parents, who share custody and parenting responsibilities; and his views that the rules of the new tax credit are at odds with promoting parental responsibility and equality among different family structures. [15808/15]