Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Early Childhood Care and Education

Helen McEntee

622. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the way the changes to the early childhood care and education scheme will impact on a person (details supplied) [37431/15]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Helen McEntee

662. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Health the reason treatment of eye conditions for elderly persons is taking up to 18 months (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37447/15]

Health Services Staff Recruitment

Helen McEntee

663. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding a shortage of typists which is causing a delay of up to four months in completing referral letters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37449/15]

Postal Codes

Helen McEntee

1125. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason Eircode will not change an incorrect code to address the correct postal address of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37448/15]

Road Tolls

Helen McEntee

1154. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the concessions that will be made for motorists travelling to work via the M3 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37445/15]

Rail Services Provision

Helen McEntee

1155. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of his plans for the completion of the railway (details supplied) from Navan to Dublin. [37446/15]

Hospital Accommodation Provision

Helen McEntee

43. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Health for an update on his Department's engagements with the Health Service Executive to address overcrowding challenges at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35560/15]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Helen McEntee

85. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Health for an update on surgical waiting lists in the Health Service Executive Dublin-north east region; an update on the Ireland East Hospitals Group’s pilot theatre time initiative for general elective surgery which commenced on 11 March 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35561/15]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Helen McEntee

24. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will update Dáil Éireann on his Department’s engagement with plans for a nationwide scheme to provide preschool assistance for children with special needs, ensuring equal access for these children to the early childhood care and education scheme; if he will acknowledge the excellent work of a group (details supplied) in promoting the developmental and educational importance of such services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35335/15]

Child Care Costs

Helen McEntee

34. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his views on the burden of child care costs borne by parents of young children in commuter communities, such as in counties Kildare, Louth, Meath, Wicklow, etc, whose child care requirements are extended by the length of time it takes to commute from home to work in Dublin city; if he will update Dáil Éireann on the Government's plans to support such parents, who are playing a central role in Irish economic recovery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35334/15]

Garda Resources

Helen McEntee

122. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide an update on the need for additional Garda Síochána resources in a community (details supplied) in County Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35206/15]

Crime Prevention

Helen McEntee

125. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will engage with the Irish Farmers Association on its proposals for curbing criminality in rural areas; the Government's priorities in respect of tackling burglaries and theft from farmyards and rural homes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35205/15]

Civil Defence

Helen McEntee

12. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Defence with reference to section 9.3 of the White Paper on Defence that he published in August 2015, if he will provide, in detail, his Department’s ambitions for the development of Civil Defence; if he will discuss current and future supports from his Department for an organisation (details supplied) if he will acknowledge its contribution to life in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34256/15]

Agriculture Industry

Helen McEntee

26. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in view of the high cost of fertilisers for farmers; the global structure of the fertilisers manufacturing industry; if he will update Dáil Éireann on his efforts at the European Council of Ministers to ensure a concerted approach by the European Union in tackling fertiliser prices; his discussions with the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Phil Hogan, regarding this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34091/15]

Dairy Sector

Helen McEntee

30. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in view of the abolition of dairy quotas and the consequent market turbulence, as well as the significant borrowings undertaken by dairy farmers who share the Government’s ambition to increase Irish milk production in this new era for the sector, if he will update Dáil Éireann on his engagements with banks to ensure they afford credit flexibility to dairy farmers while the Irish dairy sector consolidates its expansion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34092/15]

Special Educational Needs Staff Remuneration

Helen McEntee

135. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to her speech at the IMPACT conference in County Galway in September 2015, her plans to improve the working conditions and salaries of special needs assistants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33979/15]

Fuel Allowance Payments

Helen McEntee

237. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on fuel supports for senior citizens for winter 2015-16, given the colder weather in the summer of 2015, which resulted in persons incurring additional heating expenses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34742/15]

Employment Support Services

Helen McEntee

238. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her Department’s supports and planned supports for young Irish persons who were forced to emigrate during the recession and who are now returning to secure employment; her Department’s initiatives for supporting returning young persons while new employment is being secured; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34743/15]

Public Procurement Contracts

Helen McEntee

293. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide a breakdown of the number of companies that have availed of the recently launched Tender Advisory Service, by sector. [34085/15]

Public Sector Staff

Helen McEntee

312. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to create employment opportunities for young persons in the public service; his views on the increasing average age of civil servants, which was 43.2 years in 2007 and 47.9 years in 2015; that the interest of the general population, whose average age is 36.1 years, would be best served by a public service with a comparable demographic profile; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34744/15]

Flood Relief Schemes Status

Helen McEntee

313. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the Office of Public Works engagements on an issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34745/15]

Wind Energy Guidelines

Helen McEntee

37. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason there has been a delay in publishing the revised wind energy guidelines; if he will confirm the date when they will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28985/15]

Register of Lobbyists Legislation

Helen McEntee

338. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he is satisfied that there is a legal obligation under the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 for persons based outside of the jurisdiction, but engaged in lobbying activities on a relevant matter as defined under the Act, to register their activities and adhere to the Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29112/15]

Public Service Obligation Levy

Helen McEntee

908. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the relevant sections of Acts under his Department that specify a public service obligation on service providers or allow for such an obligation to be specified by secondary legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29137/15]

Early Childhood Care Education

Helen McEntee

281. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide an update on the working of the interdepartmental group which is working on future investment in early years and school-age care and education services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27518/15]

Property Tax Exemptions

Helen McEntee

122. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an update on the property tax exemption for homes with pyrite, especially for families who are categorised as grade 1 and who have been advised against the expense of having a core test done, which will be carried out by the Pyrite Resolution Board when the home is accepted into the scheme. [24602/15]

Architectural Heritage

Helen McEntee

28. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide details on the steering group set up by her to advise on the future of Irish historic country houses; when the group will report to her; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23554/15]

Commemorative Events

Helen McEntee

30. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide an update on Ireland 2016, the Government initiative to commemorate and celebrate the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising; in particular, if she will provide an update on the community participation element Ireland 2016; when she anticipates local community plans will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23557/15]

Road Improvement Schemes

Helen McEntee

18. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if further funding will be made available to County Meath for repairs and restructuring of the roads within the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23465/15]

Departmental Staff Data

Helen McEntee

157. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Health the number of employees under the age of 35 years of age currently working in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23990/15]

Public Sector Staff Data

Helen McEntee

320. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the average age of full-time staff across the Civil Service; the way this compares with the average age of public servants in each of the years 2005 to 2015 and in 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23903/15]

SOLAS Funding

Helen McEntee

197. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide, in tabular form, the businesses in County Louth that are receiving SOLAS funding; the amount of funding each of these businesses received in 2014 and in 2015 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22806/15]

Wind Energy Guidelines

Helen McEntee

194. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the date when the revised wind energy guidelines will be issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22658/15]

Flood Risk Insurance Cover Provision

Helen McEntee

368. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21308/15]

Public Transport

Helen McEntee

1169. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the figure for a fine will be recalculated in respect of a person (details supplied), in view of that person's circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21576/15]

Planning Issues

Helen McEntee

176. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the proposed revisions to the 2006 wind energy development guidelines will have to be taken into account by An Bord Pleanála in its decision making on wind farm projects that are already within the planning system when the revisions to the guidelines are published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21229/15]

Biotechnology Industry

Helen McEntee

352. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide an update on developments in Ireland’s biotechnology industry since 2011; the experience of his Department and its agencies in supporting biotechnology start-up companies since March 2011; if he will provide a list of the start-up biotechnology companies which his Department, the National Pension Reserve Fund, Enterprise Ireland and other such bodies have supported through the Innovation Fund Ireland programme; if he will project the numbers of jobs to be created by these companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20589/15]

Water Charges Exemptions

Helen McEntee

499. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the concessions that are being made for pensioners, especially those living alone, whose sole income is a State pension, regarding payment of their Irish Water bills; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19678/15]

Agricultural Production Costs

Helen McEntee

34. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in view of the fact that fertiliser prices are currently at record highs, even though manufacturers' costs continue to decline, and in view of recent falling oil and gas prices, the reason there has not been a similar drop in the price of fertiliser; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18682/15]

Nursing Home Services

Helen McEntee

463. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Health his views on the Central Statistics Office's projection that Ireland's over 80s population will rise from 128,000 in 2011 to between 470,000 and 484,000 in 2046; his further views on the impact of this demographic change on demand for long-term residential care for older persons over the period 2016 to 2046; if he will project likely levels of required residential care places by 2020, 2025, 2030, 2035, 2040 and 2045; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18344/15]

Nursing Home Services

Helen McEntee

464. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Health the optimal level of long-term residential care beds for older persons within the Health Service Executive Dublin north east region by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18345/15]

Nursing Home Services

Helen McEntee

465. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form by county, the existing number of places for long-term residential care for older persons in the Health Service Executive Dublin north east region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18347/15]

Nursing Home Services

Helen McEntee

466. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Health the demand for long-term residential nursing home care places in the Health Service Executive Dublin north east region. [18360/15]

Forestry Management

Helen McEntee

199. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the person and-or body responsible for placing dog littering bins in Balrath Forest Park (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17422/15]

Defence Forces

Helen McEntee

228. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Defence the number of external and/or outsourced practices that are used by the Defence Forces for physiotherapy at present. [17407/15]

HSE Agency Staff Data

Helen McEntee

314. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Health the conditions and employment contracts of carers employed by carer companies (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17410/15]

Schools Building Projects Administration

Helen McEntee

464. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans for the provision of a new secondary school (details supplied) in County Meath in view of the significant local population and the fact that the new national school will shortly open. [17413/15]

Wind Energy Guidelines

Helen McEntee

420. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the revised wind energy guidelines will be published. [16414/15]

Dairy Sector

Helen McEntee

154. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current status of appointing a Teagasc dairy adviser for County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12805/15]

Disabled Drivers Grant Appeals

Helen McEntee

286. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Finance if a person (details supplied) in County Meath has made an appeal through the Medical Board under the disabled drivers and the disabled passengers scheme 1994; if the appeal was unsuccessful, the other options available to this person especially if their condition has not deteriorated after six months of the appeal. [12019/15]