Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

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]