Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Commonage Land Use

Michael Fitzmaurice

241. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine following the Agriculture Appeals Office's inspection of the Keelderry commonage lands on 24 January 2014 and its report dated 30 April 2014, the way it can say that no evidence of horses, cattle or sheep was found on the date of the visit to the Keelderry commonage lands, without noting that the commonage framework plan and the rural environment protection scheme requirement prohibits livestock grazing on the commonage over the winter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41458/15]

Commonage Land Use

Michael Fitzmaurice

242. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine following the inspection of the Keelderry commonage lands by the Agriculture Appeals Office on 24 January 2014 and its report dated 30 April 2014, if his staff were assessing the level of agricultural activity on the site for the summer of 2010 in winter of 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41459/15]

Commonage Land Use

Michael Fitzmaurice

243. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine following the inspection of the Keelderry commonage lands by the Agriculture Appeals Office on 24 January 2014 and its report dated 30 April 2014, why his staff did not take the fact that heather is abundant throughout the commonage in different stages of its life cycle, which clearly indicates that livestock grazing is interrupting its life cycle, into account, when assessing agricultural activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41460/15]

Organic Farming Scheme Applications

Michael Fitzmaurice

244. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if organic farmers who were excluded from the electronic payment system in 2015 will be paid before Christmas 2015; if these organic farmers will be added to the electronic payment system from now on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41461/15]

Local Authority Offices

Michael Fitzmaurice

552. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there has been a problem with doors and windows in the new civic offices in Roscommon, if some or all of these windows and doors had to be replaced; and the cost incurred as a result. [41658/15]

Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Data

Michael Fitzmaurice

304. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers' payments under the areas of natural constraint scheme and the basic payments scheme that have been delayed since the payment commencement dates in September and October 2015 for reasons other than stock density queries; of these farmers whose payments have been delayed, the number the Department has notified in accordance with the farmers' charter, which the Department agreed and published in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40648/15]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Michael Fitzmaurice

447. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health to clarify the nationally-set special delivery unit targets for scoliosis surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40521/15]

Hospitals Data

Michael Fitzmaurice

448. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the number of persons, who undergo scoliosis surgery to correct spinal curvatures each year; the number who are awaiting this surgery; the waiting periods involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40522/15]

Hospitals Data

Michael Fitzmaurice

449. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the number of patients who have undergone scoliosis surgery to correct spinal curvatures in the Saolta group of hospitals in each of the years 2010 to 2014, in tabular form; the number of such operations that have been performed in these hospitals in 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40523/15]

Hospital Staff

Michael Fitzmaurice

450. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if specialists are available to perform spinal monitoring during surgery to correct scoliosis spinal curvature; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40524/15]

Treatment Abroad Scheme

Michael Fitzmaurice

451. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if it is open to patients who have been waiting for scoliosis surgery to correct spinal curvature, and whose condition is deteriorating, to access the treatment abroad scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40525/15]

GLAS Eligibility

Michael Fitzmaurice

273. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme plus payment for hen harrier designated lands in the sum of €370 per hectare is not payable on commonage lands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39226/15]

Community Employment Schemes Eligibility

Michael Fitzmaurice

185. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will consider allowing persons who have completed a six year term on a community employment scheme and who are approaching retirement age to be granted an extension to their participation in the scheme, in order that they can continue to work, if that is their choice, rather than receive a jobseeker's allowance in the intervening period, before they come to retirement age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37539/15]

Basic Payment Scheme Payments

Michael Fitzmaurice

307. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason payments for the Keelderry and Roxborough commonages in the Slieve Aughty area of South Galway are being withheld under the areas of natural constraint scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36222/15]

Farm Inspections

Michael Fitzmaurice

322. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 142 of 26 March 2015, 366 of 21 April 2015 and 558 of 22 September 2015, the way landowners who are not applicants to a scheme can refuse to allow an inspector onto their lands, where his Department's inspectors have entered the lands without any notice, as was the case during the commonage review of 2010 and the land parcel identification system review of 2013; his views that his Department's inspectors must notify all commonage landowners prior to conducting an inspection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36402/15]

Farm Inspections

Michael Fitzmaurice

323. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department obtains the prior consent of all landowners, not just those landowners who are applicants for schemes, before entering lands for the purposes of completing an inspection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36403/15]

Wildlife Regulations

Michael Fitzmaurice

716. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Question 1708 of 22 September 2015 seeking clarification of Regulation 25 of the European Communities (Birds and Habitats) Regulations 2011, the way a landowners or their agents may obtain precise lists of the other restrictions applying to the site; if her Department has liaised with the Law Society of Ireland to ensure that conveyancing practitioners are aware of this most stringent obligation on landowners of designated lands; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36404/15]

Health Services Provision

Michael Fitzmaurice

54. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if the proposed community nursing unit (details supplied) in County Galway is included in the list of community nursing units to be constructed under the financial package he recently announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35825/15]

Schools Building Projects Status

Michael Fitzmaurice

93. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will confirm that a new school (details supplied) in County Galway will be included in the capital expenditure programme 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35824/15]

Archaeological Sites

Michael Fitzmaurice

114. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the progress her Department has made on the purchase of lands (details supplied); when the purchase will be complete; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35826/15]

Afforestation Programme

Michael Fitzmaurice

134. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has approved afforestation for lands in the townland of Breanletter and the district electoral division of Ballyfermoyle in County Roscommon, formerly in the ownership of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35625/15]

Legislative Measures

Michael Fitzmaurice

149. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to amend existing bankruptcy legislation in order that a person may be discharged from bankruptcy one year after the order of adjudication; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35539/15]

Health Services

Michael Fitzmaurice

293. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive supplies a meals-on-wheels service in County Roscommon; the number of persons in County Roscommon who availed of that service in each of the years from 2010 to 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35540/15]

Student Grants Data

Michael Fitzmaurice

396. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students who received a third level maintenance grant; the amount spent on these grants for the academic year 2014-15; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35623/15]

Student Grants Data

Michael Fitzmaurice

397. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of mature students who qualified to have their fees paid by the Government; the cost of Government spending on third level maintenance grants for mature students for the academic year 2014-15; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35624/15]

Live Register Data

Michael Fitzmaurice

164. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Taoiseach for a breakdown, in tabular form, of the number of persons on the live register; of these, the number on the live register for fewer than 12 months; from 12 plus to 24 months; 24 plus to 36 months; and for 36 plus months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34358/15]

Back to Education Allowance

Michael Fitzmaurice

173. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number in receipt of the back to education allowance for the academic year 2014-2015 and the academic year 2015-2016; the total spend by the Government on the back to education allowance during both of these academic years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34348/15]

Rural Social Scheme Data

Michael Fitzmaurice

179. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her views that the rural social scheme is an income support scheme for rural dwellers, that it is not a job activation scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34070/15]

Departmental Expenditure

Michael Fitzmaurice

198. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection for a breakdown of the total spend of her Department for each year from 2010 to 2014, the projected spend by her Department for the year 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34351/15]

Departmental Expenditure

Michael Fitzmaurice

199. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection for a breakdown for each year from 2010 to 2014 of the amount paid in direct payments to social welfare recipients, including various schemes, etc; the projected figure for the total amount of direct payments for the year 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34352/15]

Unemployment Benefits Data

Michael Fitzmaurice

200. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of jobseeker's benefit or jobseeker's allowance in 2014; the total amount paid out by her Department in jobseeker's benefit and jobseekers allowance in 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34353/15]

Unemployment Benefits Data

Michael Fitzmaurice

201. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of those who are in receipt of jobseeker's benefit and jobseeker's allowance who are claiming for themselves alone, and not for any dependants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34354/15]

Unemployment Benefits Payments

Michael Fitzmaurice

202. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the average weekly payment to persons in receipt of jobseeker's benefit and jobseeker's allowance who are claiming for themselves alone; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34355/15]

Unemployment Benefits Data

Michael Fitzmaurice

203. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who are in receipt of jobseeker's benefit and jobseeker's allowance who are also claiming for dependants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34356/15]

Unemployment Benefits Payments

Michael Fitzmaurice

204. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the average weekly payment being made to recipients of jobseeker's benefit and jobseeker's allowance who are claiming for dependants in addition to claiming for themselves; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34357/15]

Family Income Supplement

Michael Fitzmaurice

205. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of families projected to receive family income supplement in 2015; the projected cost of the supplement for 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34360/15]

Community Employment Schemes Data

Michael Fitzmaurice

206. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of persons participating in community employment schemes in each of the years 2010 to 2015 to date; the total amount paid to these participants in these years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34361/15]

Farm Assist Scheme

Michael Fitzmaurice

211. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of the farm assist payment who are claiming for themselves alone; for themselves and for dependants; the average payment to those claiming, for themselves alone; for themselves and for dependents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34366/15]

Animal Identification Schemes

Michael Fitzmaurice

355. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentage loss rate of bovine viral diarrhoea tags for the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34083/15]

Prisoner Data

Michael Fitzmaurice

412. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons in prison for each of the years, 2010 to 2015; the number who have been identified as having from mental health problems; and if she will make a statement on he matter. [34627/15]

Hospitals Capital Programme

Michael Fitzmaurice

562. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if the building of a new 50-bed unit at the Sacred Heart Hospital in Roscommon is included in the list of projects to be undertaken under the current capital programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34563/15]

Mental Health Services Funding

Michael Fitzmaurice

579. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of moneys which were returned unspent to his Department for each year from 2010 to 2014, though it had been allocated to Galway / Roscommon mental health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34620/15]

Mental Health Services Staff

Michael Fitzmaurice

580. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of the number of nurses who have been assigned to mental health services in County Roscommon, for each year from 2010 to 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34621/15]

Mental Health Services Staff

Michael Fitzmaurice

581. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the number of family therapists; cognitive behavioural therapists; addiction counsellors currently (details supplied) employed in the mental health services in County Roscommon; his plans to increase the number of these posts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34622/15]

Mental Health Services Funding

Michael Fitzmaurice

582. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the percentage of the overall health budget that is devoted to mental health services; if this percentage is in line with the amount advocated in A Vision For Change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34623/15]

Mental Health Services Provision

Michael Fitzmaurice

583. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if there is an intensive care rehabilitation unit for psychiatric services in the west of Ireland; if he will provide a list of the number of such units that are in the country; where they are located; his plans to establish such a unit in the west; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34624/15]

Mental Health Services

Michael Fitzmaurice

584. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if it is still the practice for children and adolescents to be placed in adult psychiatric hospitals; if so, the number of children and adolescents who have been admitted to adult services in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34625/15]

Suicide Prevention

Michael Fitzmaurice

585. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the number of suicide prevention nurses who have been appointed; by location; if any are based in the County Roscommon area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34626/15]

Third Level Fees

Michael Fitzmaurice

648. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education and Skills to set out the number of students who have qualified to have third level fees paid for the academic year 2015-16; the total that will be spent on the payment of third level fees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34345/15]

Student Support Schemes

Michael Fitzmaurice

649. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education and Skills to set out the number of students who will receive a third level maintenance grant; the total amount that will be spent on these grants, for the academic year 2015-16; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34346/15]

Student Support Schemes

Michael Fitzmaurice

650. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education and Skills to set out the number of mature students who have qualified to have their fees paid by the Government for the academic year 2015-16; the total paid by Government; the total cost of Government spending on third level maintenance grants for mature students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34347/15]

Third Level Funding

Michael Fitzmaurice

651. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education and Skills to outline the total cost of spending on third level education during the 2014-15 academic year, inclusive of all supports, grants, etc.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34349/15]

School Transport Tendering

Michael Fitzmaurice

671. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of problems arising from the procurement process that is now being used by Bus Éireann to secure transport contractors in the provision of transport services for children with special needs, if experience gained by transport contractors in the services provided to children with special needs should be taken into account as part of the procurement process, particularly when contracts to transport children with special needs are being procured; her plans to review the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34630/15]

Wildlife Protection

Michael Fitzmaurice

3. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the action she plans to take to deal effectively with the problem of the population of Asian clams at Lanesborough, County Longford, and surrounding areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32355/15]

Turbary Rights

Michael Fitzmaurice

5. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will give an undertaking that the proposed closure of natural heritage area bogs will not proceed until and unless alternative turf-cutting locations have been provided for those who are affected by the closure but who wish to continue their turf-cutting tradition; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32357/15]

Wildlife Conservation

Michael Fitzmaurice

8. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her Department has reviewed the regulations regarding grass cutting and hedge cutting on roadsides here; her plans to extend the dates on which grass cutting and hedge cutting can proceed or if it is her intention to allow such work to proceed all year round; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32058/15]

EU Directives

Michael Fitzmaurice

10. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the habitats directive is under review in the European Union; if that review is taking place, her plans to make a submission regarding the problems that have arisen as a result of the habitats directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32059/15]

Wildlife Protection

Michael Fitzmaurice

13. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if it is the intention of her Department to allocate finance and resources to the eradication of the problem of Asian clams on the River Shannon at Lanesborough and the surrounding area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32060/15]

Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Data

Michael Fitzmaurice

20. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount of compensation that has been paid to commercial operators on bogs designated as special areas of conservation; if she will provide a breakdown of the amount of compensation paid to commercial operators on each designated bog; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32062/15]

Special Protection Areas Designation

Michael Fitzmaurice

32. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she has put in place a scheme of compensation for farmers whose lands have been designated as hen harrier special protection areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32061/15]

Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme

Michael Fitzmaurice

228. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to put in place a compensation fund for turf cutters for the loss of turbary rights in designated bogs in situations where they have not been cutting turf in the five-year period that would have qualified them to receive compensation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32356/15]

Special Areas of Conservation Management

Michael Fitzmaurice

229. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to remove the regulations that make cleaning of drains, removal of scrub, spreading of fertiliser, fencing of land and the movement of livestock actions notifiable; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32358/15]

GLAS Applications

Michael Fitzmaurice

482. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide the figures of those who applied for the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30511/15]

Agriculture Schemes

Michael Fitzmaurice

556. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there are situations where land eligibility may be inspected without the requirement of a control report being provided to the applicant or their agent; if he will provide a list of such scenarios; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32214/15]

Agriculture Schemes

Michael Fitzmaurice

557. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine pursuant to Article 6 of the EU Regulation 1122/2009, if he will provide the defined minimum requirements for good agricultural and environmental condition, on the basis of the framework set out in Annexe III of 1122/2009; his views that each of the characteristics set out in Article 6 have been properly taken into account, as required, as set out in the BPS and past SPST and Cs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32215/15]

Farm Inspections

Michael Fitzmaurice

558. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 142 of 26 March 2015 and 366 of 21 April 2015, his views that an applicant has the right to refuse the inspectors entry; the way this right may be refused if an applicant to the schemes is not informed of the inspectors' presence on the applicant's lands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32216/15]

Farm Inspections

Michael Fitzmaurice

559. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his staff may enter lands where one or more land owners, who are not applicants of any scheme, and therefore have not signed up to the terms, have not provided him with permission to enter their lands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32217/15]

Schools Building Projects Status

Michael Fitzmaurice

1311. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education and Skills the expected commencement date for construction of a school (details supplied) in County Galway; if the tender process is complete; if all the legal issues with the site are sorted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31653/15]

Wildlife Protection

Michael Fitzmaurice

1682. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in view of the fact that the activities of commercial shoot operators targeting woodcock in the main, particularly in the western counties, are frequently unregulated and the need to regulate the shooting of wild animals and birds in the interest of conservation and sustainability, if she will provide a commencement date for section 36 of the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000, which deals with the licensing and regulation of shoot operators; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30633/15]

Wildlife Regulations

Michael Fitzmaurice

1708. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will clarify Regulation 25 of the European Communities (Birds and Habitats) Regulations 2011; if she is satisfied that landowners are aware of this obligation; if landowners have been properly notified and made aware of all the activities requiring consent and, in particular, other restrictions applying to the site; in the event that a landowner is not familiar with all of the activities requiring consent or other restrictions that apply to their lands, where landowners can obtain this information in advance of disposing of their interest in such lands; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32213/15]

Schools Building Projects Status

Michael Fitzmaurice

652. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details supplied) in County Galway will be going to tender as the project is urgent and all design is complete and approved by her Department and the necessary planning permission is in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29681/15]

Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme

Michael Fitzmaurice

334. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of persons affected by the cessation of turf cutting and who have applied for compensation in the Carrickynaghtan Bog national heritage area (details supplied) in County Roscommon under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme for national heritage areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29238/15]

Coras Iompair Éireann

Michael Fitzmaurice

573. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the provision under which certain employees of Iarnród Éireann (details supplied) were admitted into the Córas Iompair Éireann pension scheme; if their admittance required legislative intervention; if so, the legislation under which they were admitted; the names of others who may have been admitted under the same provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27164/15]

Unfinished Housing Developments

Michael Fitzmaurice

270. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a local authority which receives site resolution funding in respect of an unfinished housing estate is under an obligation to bring the said estate up to taking-in-charge standard and to take the estate in charge following the completion of the agreed site resolution plan; within what timeframe subsequent to completion of the site resolution plan should a local authority take the estate in charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26596/15]

School Guidance Counsellors

Michael Fitzmaurice

102. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of the impact of the Government’s decision in December 2011 to change the ex-quota status of the role of the guidance counsellor in second level schools, her plans to reverse this cut in the next budget; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25914/15]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Michael Fitzmaurice

106. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will reverse the 15% cut in resource teaching hours imposed in 2012 upon individual students with special educational needs prior to piloting the model recommended by the National Council for Special Education; whether the pilot scheme will be introduced in the coming school year; to set out the number and percentage of schools in which it is proposed to run the pilot scheme; if she will restore the resource teaching hours allocated to each student with special educational needs to the levels pertaining in 2010 as an interim measure to ensure students with special educational needs are not adversely impacted while she experiments with the system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25765/15]

Student Support Schemes

Michael Fitzmaurice

107. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will increase the income threshold for the student support grant to compensate for the negative impact of the Government's austerity programme which has left tax-paying parents in what heretofore would have been considered good jobs unable to afford to send their children to college; if she will further amend the student support grant scheme to allow parents with a gross income of approximately €70,000 but who are going through insolvency or bankruptcy and who are only allowed approximately €28,000 living expenses to avail of the grant; her views on the children of such tax-paying parents being denied a college education as a result of the economic misfortune which has been imposed on their parents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25769/15]

Summer Works Scheme Administration

Michael Fitzmaurice

122. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will be making provision for a summer works grant scheme for primary schools in the 2015-16 school year, sufficient to clear the backlog from 2014 as well as meeting the demands from additional national schools which will need works carried out in 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25768/15]

School Accommodation Provision

Michael Fitzmaurice

126. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide the additional accommodation that is urgently required by schools (details supplied) in counties Leitrim and Roscommon within the next 12 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25766/15]

School Staff

Michael Fitzmaurice

130. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of the fact that she has amended downwards the number of pupils required for the retention of teachers in two-teacher, three-teacher and four-teacher national schools, if she will consider reducing the numbers needed for the appointment of teachers in two-teacher, three-teacher and four-teacher schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25767/15]

Carer's Allowance Eligibility

Michael Fitzmaurice

207. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection in recognition of the fact that many persons being cared for by persons in receipt of carer's allowance, especially those with a disability, may also be in daily attendance at day care, health care or learning centres and that the majority of the care is provided and received outside of daytime business hours, if she will consider making a small increase in the maximum number of hours a person in receipt of carer's allowance may work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26339/15]

Adoption Services Provision

Michael Fitzmaurice

386. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 195 of 18 June 2015, in respect of an adoption registration fee refund due to persons (details supplied) in County Leitrim, if conditions being applied to funds provided for the Arc Adoption agency by his Department stipulate that adoption registration fee refunds shall not be paid from these funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25695/15]

Capitation Grants

Michael Fitzmaurice

502. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education and Skills if, in view of the much vaunted and often heralded economic recovery, she will restore the capitation grant for national schools to the level which pertained prior to the introduction of the Government's austerity programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25915/15]

Adoption Registration

Michael Fitzmaurice

195. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Leitrim, the reason they have not yet received an adoption registration fee refund which should have been paid to them in February 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24310/15]

General Medical Services Scheme Data

Michael Fitzmaurice

222. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 446 and 449 of 31 March 2015, if he will direct the Health Service Executive to provide the information requested, which he committed to provide to this Deputy within 15 working days of 31 March 2015, and which this Deputy has still not received, in spite of repeated requests from this Deputy to the executive; if he will provide an explanation to Dáil Éireann as to the reasons the executive has failed to provide the requested information, or a satisfactory explanation for the said failure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24408/15]

School Staff

Michael Fitzmaurice

236. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a national school, having reached the threshold for an additional classroom teacher, must wait a full year before it receives its additional teacher; the reason such a school must then wait a further second year before it receives the 0.2 of a learning support post that accompanies the additional classroom teacher; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24311/15]

Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Payments

Michael Fitzmaurice

270. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide, in tabular form, a list of all the commercial operators who have been provided with monetary compensation and-or an alternative relocation bog out of public funds, as a result of the cessation of commercial operations on bogland sites designated under European and Irish legislation; if he will include, in each individual case, the site code of the designated site; the year the site was designated; the designation type; the year commercial operations ceased; the year payment was made; the amount of bog being surrendered on the site; the total figure for monetary compensation paid; the figure for compensation paid per acre; the area of alternative relocation bog provided; the total cost to the State of each individual agreement, plus the overall cost to the State for the cessation of all commercial operations on designated bogs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24292/15]

Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Payments

Michael Fitzmaurice

271. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will state for the record of Dáil Éireann that all persons, individual or corporate, who were cutting turf or extracting peat commercially on those bogs that are designated as sites of community importance, have received full compensation and-or relocation to another bog in respect of the losses imposed upon them and their enterprises by the designation of the bogs on which they were operating as being of special community importance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24313/15]

Social Welfare Payments Administration

Michael Fitzmaurice

58. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 247, 248 and 249 of 9 June 2015, and in view of her reiteration in her reply that it is Government policy that An Post remains a strong and viable company which will be in a position to provide a high quality postal service, and maintain a nationwide customer focused network of post offices in the community, the reason her Department persists with a policy on the payment of benefits which is so diametrically opposed to overall Government policy; if she will direct her Department to provide practical effect to Government policy by making the option of being paid at a post office available on all benefit application forms, making the forms at least neutral as to the payment option potential recipients may select, and end her Department's blatant promotion of for-profit commercial financial institutions, to the detriment of a nationwide public service, that is An Post; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24056/15]

Social Welfare Payments Administration

Michael Fitzmaurice

59. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 247 to 249, inclusive, of 9 June 2015, and in view of her reiteration in her reply that it is Government policy that An Post remain a strong and viable company which will be in a position to provide a high quality postal service, and maintain a nationwide customer focused network of post offices in the community, the reason it is no longer possible to elect to have a one-person family payment paid at the post office; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24057/15]

Social Welfare Payments Administration

Michael Fitzmaurice

60. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 247 to 249, inclusive, of 9 June 2015, the reason she can emphasise in her reply that the amendments do not remove the option to be paid at the post office, when the option to be paid at the post office no longer exists on the family income supplement application form; if she will explain the modality by which new applicants for the family income supplement, who make an application by completing the FIS1 form, may now elect to be paid at the post office; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24060/15]

Health Services Provision

Michael Fitzmaurice

583. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter regarding the treatment of a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon, and on ambulance delays in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23287/15]

Ambulance Service Provision

Michael Fitzmaurice

587. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health his views on the recent withdrawal, for cost saving reasons, of the essential emergency cardiac drugs Ephedrine and Epinephrine from ambulances, save those minority of ambulances that are crewed by an advanced paramedic; his further views on the inevitability that this latest cost saving measure will result in unnecessary loss of life; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23296/15]

Ambulance Service Staff

Michael Fitzmaurice

588. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health his views on the recent withdrawal of stand-by ambulance crews under the new rostering regime; his further views on the potential impact this will have in County Roscommon, where the enhanced ambulance service promised following the closure of the newly constructed accident and emergency unit at Roscommon Hospital has not yet been delivered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23299/15]

Hospital Services

Michael Fitzmaurice

590. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health his views on the case of a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23307/15]

Better Energy Homes Scheme

Michael Fitzmaurice

197. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in view of the enormous potential for both monetary and energy savings, his views on the fact that the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland's better energy home owner grant scheme and better energy warmer homes scheme do not cover the replacement of external windows and doors; if he will use his influence with the authority to ensure the replacement of external windows and doors, especially those that are substandard or defective, is covered under its future grants and schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22647/15]

Social Welfare Payments Administration

Michael Fitzmaurice

247. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection in view of the fact that it is Government policy that An Post remain a strong and viable company, which will be in a position to provide a high-quality postal service and maintain a nationwide customer focused network of post offices in the community, if her Department's policy and practice of promoting financial institutions outside the post office network is incompatible with, or contrary to, overall Government policy in this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22167/15]

Social Welfare Payments Administration

Michael Fitzmaurice

248. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection in view of the fact that seven out of the eight of her Department's payment application forms delivered to An Post postmasters recently, as part of their stationary deliveries, recommend that prospective payment recipients should have their payments paid directly into accounts in financial institutions instead of to the local post office, her views on this policy's compatibility with overall Government policy in this area, which when most recently articulated stated that it is Government policy that An Post remain a strong and viable company which will be in a position to provide a high quality postal service and maintain a nationwide customer focused network of post offices in the community; her views on this inherent policy contradiction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22168/15]

Social Welfare Payments Administration

Michael Fitzmaurice

249. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her views on the fact that part three, on page six of her Department's pension application form (details supplied), positively recommends that prospective pension recipients should have their pensions paid into current, deposit or savings accounts in financial institutions, to the exclusion of the local post office; her views on her Department's assertion that this is the best payment option for recipients, notwithstanding the possibility that those recipients who accept her Department's advice may incur bank account fees, transaction charges, Government duties and be physically unable to get to a financial institution or an automated teller machine if they live in rural Ireland or in one of the many small towns and villages in which no such financial institution chooses to locate; her views as to her Department's views on continuing use of the local post office in both rural and urban areas alike; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22169/15]

Agriculture Scheme Administration

Michael Fitzmaurice

421. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 365 of 21 April 2015, if the phrase on-the-spot check in respect of eligibility in the regulations has a specific procedure prescribed under the regulations; the reason his Department deviates from this regulation when carrying out a land parcel identification system review which is not prescribed under the regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21301/15]