Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Medical Card Applications

Bernard Durkan

213. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21865/16]

Broadband Service Provision

Bernard Durkan

250. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which improvements in quality and speed of broadband is envisaged over the next two years with particular reference to the need to meet the requirements of customers as matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21877/16]

Broadband Service Provision

Bernard Durkan

251. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to what extent comparisons continue to be made with the quality, scale, standard and availability of broadband and mobile telephony in this jurisdiction with that available in other European Union and non-European Union competing jurisdictions, if the upgrading required is adequately provided for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21878/16]

Broadband Service Provision

Bernard Durkan

252. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to what extent he has identified the existence of particular black spots in respect of the availability of broadband services, when he expects such issues to be address in full with particular reference to meeting the needs of the business, domestic and commercial sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21879/16]

Exploration Licences Data

Bernard Durkan

253. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of mineral exploration licences and petroleum, oil and gas exploration licences applied for, granted and activated in the past five years, how this compares with previous licensing regimes, if particular noticeable issues have arisen in this context; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21880/16]

Food Exports

Bernard Durkan

70. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he expects to pursue new markets for Irish beef, lamb, pigmeat, poultry and dairy products over the next five years; if live exports of beef is likely to form a feature of any such strategy; the degree to which he expects Irish farmers to benefit in the short to medium term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21321/16]

Agrifood Sector

Bernard Durkan

72. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he expects to be in a position to respond favourably to recent submissions from the Irish Farmers Association and other farming organisations with regard to pressing requirements or interventions in the agrifood sector in order to restore viability to the industry and make provisions for the future in the aftermath of Brexit; the degree to which he has had discussions with the European Union, the United Kingdom and all stakeholders in this context; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21322/16]

Pigmeat Sector

Bernard Durkan

231. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his objectives to support the pig producing sector, with particular reference to the need to address the issue of rising costs, low return and unstable markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21567/16]

Beef Industry

Bernard Durkan

232. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the degree to which he sees opportunities for improvement and expansion in the beef and dairy sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21568/16]

Food Exports

Bernard Durkan

233. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to promote Irish meat and dairy exports globally in the aftermath of a British exit from the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21569/16]

Lobbying Data

Bernard Durkan

234. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he has examined submissions he has received from the Irish Farmers Association and other farming organisations; his plans to respond to the main features therein; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21570/16]

Food Labelling

Bernard Durkan

235. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the degree to which he continues to strictly enforce strict animal health and traceability, thereby enhancing the competitive edge for beef, lamb, poultry and pigmeat at home and abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21571/16]

Horse Racing Industry Development

Bernard Durkan

236. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his vision for the ongoing development of the bloodstock industry, with obvious benefit to the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21572/16]

Fishing Industry Development

Bernard Durkan

237. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to promote and develop the fishing industry, with particular reference to maximising incentives to assist families dependent on fishing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21573/16]

Agrifood Sector

Bernard Durkan

238. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the degree to which he can secure assurances to protect the agrifood sector in the event of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21574/16]

UK Referendum on EU Membership

Bernard Durkan

239. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to combat the impact of a British exit from the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21575/16]

Farm Household Incomes

Bernard Durkan

240. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the degree to which he expects to enhance incomes for farm families over the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21576/16]

Agrifood Sector

Bernard Durkan

252. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied that adequate steps can be taken to ensure the development of the agrifood sector, notwithstanding impositions in respect of carbon emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21635/16]

Food Labelling

Bernard Durkan

253. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he continues to be satisfied that labelling and traceability regulations applicable throughout the European Union, in respect of products originating within the Union or outside, continue to be observed in the spirit and the letter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21636/16]

Food Exports

Bernard Durkan

254. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which further overseas markets continue to be identified for Irish meat, dairy and fish products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21637/16]

Agrifood Sector

Bernard Durkan

255. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he remains satisfied that ongoing trade negotiations between the European Union and the United States of America do not militate against the agrifood sector here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21638/16]

Agrifood Sector

Bernard Durkan

256. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the degree to which he expects targets set in respect of Food Harvest 2020 to be achieved, notwithstanding implications arising from carbon emission reduction requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21639/16]

Laboratory Facilities

Bernard Durkan

257. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which the most modern laboratory facilities remain available to the agrifood business at Backweston, Celbridge, County Kildare, or elsewhere; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21640/16]

Food Exports

Bernard Durkan

258. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the degree to which his Department continues to monitor the future prospects for the beef, sheep, lamb, poultry and fish sectors here, in the context of global market trends and Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21641/16]

Common Agricultural Policy Reform

Bernard Durkan

259. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he remains satisfied that the benefits of Common Agricultural Policy reform are distributed evenly throughout the agrifood sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21642/16]

Food Labelling

Bernard Durkan

260. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which labelling of beef, lamb, pigmeat, poultry or fish products imported here directly, through other European Union or third countries continues to comply with the most rigid labelling regimes applicable here and throughout the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21643/16]

Economic Competitiveness

Bernard Durkan

261. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he continues to be satisfied regarding the competitiveness of Irish food exports on the world food market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21644/16]

Equine Data

Bernard Durkan

262. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which his Department continues to maintain and apply traceability and records in respect of the non-thoroughbred horse industry, with particular reference to the need to ensure compliance with best practice and husbandry standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21645/16]

Grant Payments

Bernard Durkan

263. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if it is possible for a riparian land owner to avail of a farm support payment to facilitate a river crossing to an otherwise inaccessible part of the land holding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21646/16]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Bernard Durkan

19. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which he expects to be in a position to reduce the waiting lists for various procedures throughout the public health and hospital system with a view to ensuring a readily accessible hospital service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20912/16]

Accident and Emergency Departments

Bernard Durkan

74. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health his plans to reduce the congestion at accident and emergency departments in public hospitals here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20911/16]

Accident and Emergency Departments

Bernard Durkan

628. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health to indicate a strategy to deal with ongoing congestion at accident and emergency departments throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21348/16]

HSE Agency Staff Data

Bernard Durkan

629. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which the numbers of consultants, doctors, nurses or other professionals have fluctuated in each of the past eight years to date in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21349/16]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Bernard Durkan

630. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the total number of persons on waiting lists for cardiac surgery, hip replacements or other procedures; if he has a strategy to shorten the waiting period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21350/16]

Nursing Staff Remuneration

Bernard Durkan

631. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the way in which he will address the issue of lower pay affecting the latest nursing recruits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21351/16]

Hospitals Building Programme

Bernard Durkan

632. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in the provision of the new children's hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21352/16]

Medical Card Administration

Bernard Durkan

633. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if the processing of medical card applications can be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21353/16]

Medical Card Data

Bernard Durkan

634. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the number of medical cards in circulation; if he expects the number to increase or decrease over the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21354/16]

General Medical Services Scheme

Bernard Durkan

635. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the procedure in place to expedite the process of medical cards for cancer patients; if he expects to improve the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21355/16]

Services for People with Disabilities

Bernard Durkan

636. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the way in which he proposes to meet the long-term residential needs of children and young adults whose parents may not be available and who require residential care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21356/16]

Health Services Staff Data

Bernard Durkan

637. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which staff levels in all posts have fluctuated over each of the past eight years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21357/16]

Health Services Reform

Bernard Durkan

638. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if he evaluated the full extent and costs of a comprehensive health service in the future; his views on the matter with regard to demographics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21358/16]

Health Services Reform

Bernard Durkan

639. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health to set out his vision for the future of the public health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21359/16]

Cultural Policy

Bernard Durkan

24. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she and her Department expect to be in a position to continue to utilise events of a cultural and heritage nature to promote the national image at home and abroad with particular reference to the need to generate increased interest in such matters among young persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19889/16]

Heritage Sites

Bernard Durkan

62. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she and her Department continue to support, maintain, preserve and promote heritage sites throughout the country with particular reference to the need to ensure that nothing is lost that can be preserved for future generations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19890/16]

Asylum Applications

Bernard Durkan

74. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the procedure to be followed to facilitate an application for refugee and asylum status for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20271/16]

Residency Permits

Bernard Durkan

75. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which options are available to persons (details supplied) to obtain leave to remain or otherwise facilitate their application for residency given that they have established relationships and have integrated with the local community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20272/16]

Residency Permits

Bernard Durkan

76. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the current and potential residency status of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20273/16]

Immigration Status

Bernard Durkan

77. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will facilitate an extension of time within which a person (details supplied) can make an application to renew a stamp 4 due to the difficulties in obtaining relevant documentation. [20274/16]

Residency Permits

Bernard Durkan

78. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the means whereby persons (details supplied) can regularise their residency status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20275/16]