Parliamentary questions

Credit Availability

Willie Penrose

315. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will extend the pilot microfinance scheme, which was launched in November 2015 and operated by 30 credit unions, to the other 300 credit unions given its widespread success and satisfaction rate; if he will extend it to social protection customers, not just those who get paid in cash, and to persons and families on low incomes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19690/16]

Heritage Sites

Willie Penrose

411. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to outline the status of progress concerning the designation of The Hill of Uisneach in Killare, County Westmeath as a United Nations educational scientific and cultural organisation world heritage Site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19785/16]

Medicinal Products Availability

Willie Penrose

461. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health when the Ampligen drug will be available here given there are persons awaiting its approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19174/16]

Hospital Procedures

Willie Penrose

551. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to have a person (details supplied) admitted immediately for a procedure at Tallaght hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19519/16]

Sports Capital Programme

Willie Penrose

647. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he will announce a sports capital programme so as to enable clubs and organisations to apply for funding to upgrade and refurbish their facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19789/16]

Child Care Services Funding

Willie Penrose

693. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will take steps to reverse the 26% cut in the financial allocation from €316,797 in 2010 to €241,000 in 2016 to Westmeath County Childcare Committee Limited, which has led to a serious position for the delivery of services and support for children and families in the county, where in excess of 4,000 children are attending a range of such services; if, in this context, she will immediately provide increased supports and resources to this committee to enable it to continue its vital work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19706/16]

Schools Building Projects Status

Willie Penrose

99. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills to allow a school (details supplied) which has completed the stage 2(b) (detailed design) process to proceed to stage 3 tender action as this school was included in the school building projects as part of their five year plan 2012 to 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18908/16]

Hospital Consultant Recruitment

Willie Penrose

230. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to secure a pancreatic surgeon to replace the former surgeon who was involved in this vital area and if such an appointment is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19048/16]

Tax Code

Willie Penrose

73. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance if a person (details supplied) is due a refund of tax payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18647/16]

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Willie Penrose

128. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18645/16]

Jobseeker's Allowance Applications

Willie Penrose

129. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the jobseeker's allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18646/16]

Invalidity Pension Applications

Willie Penrose

134. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the invalidity pension scheme; if same will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18789/16]

Library Services

Willie Penrose

201. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will suspend any proposals to amalgamate library services across county boundaries leading to a centralisation of management, with a significant negative impact for localities and where no cost-benefit analysis of such proposals has been produced to date; and if he will engage in a comprehensive way with the trade union representatives to explore worthy alternatives to these proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18240/16]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Willie Penrose

312. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme; if he will expedite it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18544/16]

Greyhound Industry

Willie Penrose

482. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the inquiry under the chairmanship of a person (details supplied) into the alleged misuse of prohibited substances in the greyhound industry; when the report will be finalised and published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18345/16]

Redundancy Payments

Willie Penrose

159. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the position of an employee, whose employment was terminated due to the business not being able to discharge wages due, and where this business has now closed permanently, and is insolvent, and whereby the employees are seeking redundancies, pursuant to the insolvency fund, and where a delay arises in furnishing the necessary documentation from the employer to prove the insolvency situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17783/16]

General Medical Services Scheme

Willie Penrose

243. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that persons (details supplied) who are the holders of a medical card and who wish to transfer to a doctor in the vicinity of where they now reside are allowed to do so because of the unusual circumstances in which they find themselves (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17785/16]

Herd Data

Willie Penrose

278. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he will take to ensure that a herd number is issued to a person (details supplied) without further delay in order to allow their farming activities to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17784/16]

Schools Building Projects Status

Willie Penrose

130. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will ensure the capital allocation required by a school (details supplied); if same can now be permitted to go to construction without any further delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17569/16]

Teachers' Remuneration

Willie Penrose

131. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on issues regarding teachers recruited post-2011 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17570/16]

Wind Energy Guidelines

Willie Penrose

267. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in the context of the consultation process, concerning Wind Energy Development Guidelines 2006, and the revision that was embarked upon, which involved public consultation, if he is aware that best international practice has moved on significantly since November 2013, with the most recent example being the recommendation of a 2 km setback by the Polish National Institute of Public Health on 8 March 2016, and the judgment by the Constitutional Court of Bavaria on 9 March 2016, upholding the Bavarian State setback rule of ten times tip height that has been in force since 2014; if he will take steps to issue fresh draft guidelines that reflect best international practice, as enforced by colleague European countries, which would necessitate undertaking the public consultation process, and then enacting enabling legislation, in order that the public can have confidence that the issue has been dealt with, in a fair and transparent manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17307/16]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Willie Penrose

158. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a refund for a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16578/16]

Invalidity Pension Applications

Willie Penrose

159. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the invalidity pension scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16580/16]

Carer's Allowance Payments

Willie Penrose

160. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will reinstate the payment to a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme, given the new information provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16581/16]

Jobseeker's Allowance Eligibility

Willie Penrose

161. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) will qualify under the jobseeker's allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16582/16]

Respite Care Grant Eligibility

Willie Penrose

162. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) who was being cared for by a person who was in receipt of a payment under the carer's allowance is entitled to a payment under the respite care grant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16583/16]

Medical Card Eligibility

Willie Penrose

205. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the eligibility criteria that will apply in the context of a person who currently holds a medical card because of serious illness that requires ongoing and continuous medical treatment (details supplied) but who is about to receive a personal injuries award that arises from negligent treatment and diagnosis; how the receipt of such compensation would impact upon this person’s eligibility to retain a medical card where the level, nature and extent of the treatment warranted to deal with the medical condition will continue to increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16414/16]

Hospital Appointments Status

Willie Penrose

221. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16576/16]

Defined Benefit Pension Schemes

Willie Penrose

163. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to ensure the Central Remedial Clinic's plan for employees is reinstated until such time as he has conducted a comprehensive investigation and assessment of all matters pertaining to the clinic up to its closure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16150/16]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Willie Penrose

314. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will expedite an application by a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15723/16]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Review

Willie Penrose

481. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health when the review of the nursing home support, fair deal, scheme will be finalised; when the outcome of same will be revealed to the general public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16030/16]

Afforestation Programme

Willie Penrose

526. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the appropriate grant aid and finance will be available to allow persons who have been approved for participation in the new afforestation scheme, which permits them to plant small areas of land for forestry purposes, will be made available to those who have had approval for same, as it appears that the provision of finance for the scheme is an issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16028/16]

UK Referendum on EU Membership

Willie Penrose

48. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has assessed the effects of a British exit from the European Union on the food and agriculture industry, his progress in developing potential trade arrangements and minimising the disruption and negative impact on Irish producers and consumers; and the options for agriculture and the agrifood sector, given the extensive trade links between the two economies and the role of the European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy. [14854/16]

Legislative Programme

Willie Penrose

113. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions and Certain Disclosures) Bill, which was before the Houses of the Oireachtas in February 2016; the important issues addressed therein; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14696/16]

Commercial Rates Valuation Process

Willie Penrose

259. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if she will consider reform of the rateable valuation system, with a view to modernising same, so as to ensure that any referred system provides for appropriate valuations rates reductions and abatements, particularly where new businesses are starting up, and where same are located in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14534/16]

Departmental Correspondence

Willie Penrose

301. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps he will take not to allow any further communiques to issue from his Department exhorting jobseekers to use financial institutions rather than post offices to collect their payments (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14544/16]

Basic Payment Scheme Payments

Willie Penrose

553. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm that a person (details supplied) has applied before the deadline for basic farm entitlements pursuant to the Scottish derogation provisions from the national reserve, if he will further confirm that they have been awarded their entitlements pursuant to the said provisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14659/16]

Road Projects

Willie Penrose

627. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will take steps to ensure that the necessary funding to enable the N4 realignment project between counties Westmeath and Longford to proceed is allocated, as the route corridor has been identified, necessitating a decision he made on the emerging preferred route, without further delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14552/16]

Children and Young People’s Policy Framework

Willie Penrose

678. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps he will take pursuant to the programme for Government to implement the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2014-2020, Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures; the objectives of the National Youth Strategy 2015-2020; to reverse the reductions in financial support afforded to various organisations which are dedicated to enabling and empowering young persons to realise their full potential such as Scouting Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14595/16]

Home Care Packages Provision

Willie Penrose

89. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that there will be no reduction in home help and home care packages for elderly persons and persons with a disability in 2016; the total funding available for home help and home care packages; and if there is a funding shortfall within the Health Service Executive for the provision of these vital supports. [13735/16]

Health Services Staff Recruitment

Willie Penrose

95. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive has suspended recruitment of doctors, nurses and midwives in hospitals until further notice, given the significant number of vacant posts across the health system; if so, when the moratorium will be lifted; and the levels of additional recruitment across all sectors of the Health Service Executive he expects in 2016. [13734/16]

Domiciliary Care Allowance Applications

Willie Penrose

209. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied) under the domiciliary care allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14168/16]

Disability Allowance Applications

Willie Penrose

210. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied) under the disability allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14169/16]

Disability Allowance Payments

Willie Penrose

211. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied) under the disability allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14170/16]

Basic Payment Scheme Applications

Willie Penrose

282. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will take steps to address and rectify the issues referred to in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14182/16]

Agriculture Scheme Payments

Willie Penrose

283. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) will receive payments under the basic payment scheme for the past number of years; payments under the areas of natural constraint and disadvantaged areas schemes for 2014 and 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14183/16]

Property Tax

Willie Penrose

119. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider issuing directions to local authorities to provide a small portion of the local property tax to estates which have been taken in charge and have their own established residents associations, so as to facilitate them in maintaining open spaces, landscaping, grass cutting and other decorative works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13871/16]

Carer's Allowance Delays

Willie Penrose

126. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps he will take to expedite an application by a person (details supplied) under the carer's allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13870/16]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Willie Penrose

173. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health how he will ensure a person (details supplied) is admitted to a hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13867/16]

HSE Staff

Willie Penrose

174. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health his proposals to enable persons employed by the Health Service Executive at clerical officer and other grades to continue employment beyond 65 years of age if they so desire; if he is considering amending the statutory framework to allow persons who express this desire to do so, particularly in the context of other changes in recent years in the welfare area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13868/16]