Parliamentary questions

Inland Fisheries Stocks

Bobby Aylward

268. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will commission a survey on dace stocks on the River Barrow to decipher if population of same have increased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38685/15]

Inland Fisheries Stocks

Bobby Aylward

269. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the measures in place to combat the reported increase in the dace population on the River Barrow and to prevent juvenile dace from feeding on trout eggs and damaging the natural indigenous population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38686/15]

Firearms Licences

Bobby Aylward

566. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will consider appointing appropriate representatives from national shooting sports organisations such as the National Sports Coalition to the new firearms and appeals authority, which is due to be established, to ensure a reasonable and rational approach to shooting sports activities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37742/15]

Medical Card Applications

Bobby Aylward

857. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the status of an application for a medical card by a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny, which was input on the Health Service Executive's system on 3 August 2015, as confirmed by the executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38367/15]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Bobby Aylward

965. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will allocate resource teaching hours to a student (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37798/15]

Fáilte Ireland

Bobby Aylward

1157. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will amend the system by which Fáilte Ireland awards its quality assured and quality approved guarantees and subsequent signage in order to adopt a dual approach for bed and breakfasts which are registered under the Irish homes classification scheme, and therefore fulfil the criteria of the quality assured and the quality approved schemes, and ensure the appropriate recognition is awarded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37463/15]

Fáilte Ireland

Bobby Aylward

1158. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will implement a uniform sign type for all accommodation providers which will fulfil criteria of the quality assured and the quality approved schemes, as was the case up to introduction of the new Fáilte Ireland welcome standard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37464/15]

Fáilte Ireland

Bobby Aylward

1159. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider a provision by which the bed and breakfast classified sector will be permitted to display the new quality assured signage of the Fáilte Ireland welcome standard and the traditional uniform quality approved signage of the Fáilte Ireland quality approved classification for accommodation providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37465/15]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Bobby Aylward

29. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the reason University Hospital Waterford has seen its inpatient or day case waiting list increase by more than twice the national average and by four times the rate of increase in the South-South West Hospitals Group as a whole since it became part of that group in May 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36581/15]

Speech and Language Therapy

Bobby Aylward

56. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the action that will be taken to reduce the waiting times for speech and language therapy in the south east; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36582/15]

Crime Data

Bobby Aylward

207. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the recorded annualised crime statistics (details supplied) for the Carlow Garda Síochána districts for the second quarter of 2015 and the second quarter of 2014, in tabular form. [37020/15]

Crime Data

Bobby Aylward

215. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the recorded annualised crime statistics (details supplied) for the Waterford Garda Síochána districts for the second quarter of 2015 and the second quarter of 2014, in tabular form. [37042/15]

Crime Data

Bobby Aylward

218. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the recorded annualised crime statistics (details supplied) for the Kilkenny Garda Síochána districts for the second quarter of 2015 and the second quarter of 2014, in tabular form. [37045/15]

Speech and Language Therapy

Bobby Aylward

282. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health for details of the speech and language occupational therapy services that are available, through the Health Service Executive, to a child (details supplied) in County Carlow who suffers from dyslexia; the associated costs of same; how many speech and language occupational therapy sessions were scheduled for the child; how many the child received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37061/15]

Passport Services

Bobby Aylward

311. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will consider the introduction of a system within the Passport Office whereby elderly persons can avail of a more economical short-term 90-day passport, as the cost of a long-term passport represents an unnecessary expense for pensioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37060/15]

Medical Card Drugs Availability

Bobby Aylward

540. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health if he will consider covering the significant cost of the drug Lucentis under the medical card scheme for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35967/15]

Medical Card Drugs Availability

Bobby Aylward

541. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the reason Lucentis is not covered by the medical card scheme under certain circumstances, such as when the disease becomes more aggressive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35968/15]

Water Services Funding

Bobby Aylward

673. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider a continuance of the capped charge for Irish Water's household billing for persons of pensionable age, or those who would satisfy a certain means and household composition assessment similar to that applied to the household benefits package or the fuel allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35962/15]

Water Services Funding

Bobby Aylward

674. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the current proposals within his Department with specific regard to the future of the cap on household water charges that is currently in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35963/15]

Garda Deployment

Bobby Aylward

188. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to set down in tabular form the number of members of An Garda Síochána assigned to each Garda Síochána station in the Kilkenny-Carlow division from the end of September 2010 to the end of September 2015 or the latest date available. [35695/15]

Garda Deployment

Bobby Aylward

197. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to set down in tabular form the number of members of An Garda Síochána assigned to each Garda Síochána station in the Waterford division from the end of September 2010 to the end of September 2015 or the latest date available. [35704/15]

Salmon Hardship Scheme

Bobby Aylward

1531. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will consider a voluntary buy-out scheme for snap-net fishermen on the Rivers Barrow, Nore, Suir, and Slaney if the fishermen were prepared to relinquish their licences in favour of compensation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30493/15]

Inland Fisheries Stocks

Bobby Aylward

1532. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the nature of the survey conducted to decipher that salmon stocks had been depleted to such levels that fishermen were forced to abstain from salmon fishing on the Rivers Barrow, Nore, Suir, and Slaney; the criteria of same; the locations in which it was carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30494/15]

Inland Fisheries Stocks

Bobby Aylward

1533. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will consider a re-assessment of the level of salmon stocks in the Rivers Barrow, Nore, Suir, and Slaney through the use of counters or alternative means; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30495/15]

Inland Fisheries Stocks

Bobby Aylward

1534. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will investigate the viability and feasibility of re-opening a hatchery facility at Inistiogue in County Kilkenny in an effort to restock the River Nore for salmon fishing to a level that is sufficient to allow the re-opening the aforementioned rivers for snap-net fishing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30496/15]

Inland Fisheries Stocks

Bobby Aylward

1535. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he envisages that the estuary to the Rivers Barrow, Nore, and Suir will ever be re-opened for drift-net fishing; if not, if he will consider a voluntary buy-out scheme for current licence holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30497/15]

Control of Dogs

Bobby Aylward

747. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will investigate the possibility of re-assessing the breed of German Shepherd current classification as a dangerous dog under the Control of Dogs Regulations 1998 with a view to a possible downgrade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29939/15]

Invalidity Pension Eligibility

Bobby Aylward

62. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if an appropriate social welfare payment is available to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29464/15]

Hospital Appointments Status

Bobby Aylward

540. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health if he will prioritise a medical operation for a person (details supplied), as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28431/15]

Control of Dogs

Bobby Aylward

885. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to re-assess the breed of German shepherd's current classification as a dangerous dog under the Control of Dogs Regulations 1998, with a view to a possible downgrade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29189/15]

Vaccination Programme

Bobby Aylward

44. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health if a meningococcal B vaccine will be included in the primary childhood immunisation programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27671/15]

Social Welfare Payments Administration

Bobby Aylward

47. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the progress on the recent commitment (details supplied) provided by her to revise her Department's application forms, which currently provide a clear recommendation to applicants to use commercial banks in preference to the post office network; when it is expected that revised forms will be issued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27802/15]

Hospital Procedures

Bobby Aylward

405. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health his plans for Kilcreene orthopaedic hospital in County Kilkenny, specifically regarding orthopaedic services and the review of elective orthopaedic services for the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27534/15]

Broadband Service Expenditure

Bobby Aylward

555. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will commit to allocating sufficient funding to deliver high-speed broadband to the south-east region by 2020, wherever it may be deemed uneconomic for the private sector to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27215/15]

Beef Data Programme

Bobby Aylward

115. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will amend the beef data and genomics scheme in order that a farmer who is in breach of certain conditions in a given year will be liable to pay clawback penalties for that year only and not be liable to pay penalties for any years preceding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26516/15]

Beef Data Programme

Bobby Aylward

116. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm that if a farmer sells or leases land due to market fluctuation or a situation where it becomes unprofitable to produce suckler animals, this will be considered force majeure, and the farmer will be able to exit the beef data and genomics scheme without incurring clawback penalties, as was indicated by the assistant secretary general (details supplied) at the most recent meeting of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26517/15]

Beef Data Programme

Bobby Aylward

117. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm that if a farmer wishes to exit the beef data and genomics scheme due to old age, limited physical ability, a decline in mental health or any condition resulting in inability to manage a farm, this will be considered force majeure and the farmer will be able to exit the scheme without incurring clawback penalties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26518/15]

School Transport Administration

Bobby Aylward

533. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will re-examine the current criteria, as outlined under her Department's primary school transport scheme with regard to rural areas, in particular the parameters which state that there must be a minimum number of ten eligible children residing in a distinct locality and the definition of a distinct locality, which is described as a cluster of eligible children, both of which indicate accommodation of urban communities as opposed to rural; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26062/15]

Beef Industry

Bobby Aylward

155. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm that if a bull or heifer is rated four or five stars at either the time of purchase or the time of testing the animal will remain in compliance with the beef genomics and data scheme despite any subsequent downgrading which may take place thereafter, as was confirmed by a person (details supplied) at the most recent meeting of the Oireachtas agricultural committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25211/15]

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Bobby Aylward

215. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there is appropriate European Union funding available for an Irish undergraduate student seeking financial aid for maintenance and accommodation costs, in order to accept a place on an undergraduate course in on-call children's therapy in Bournemouth in the United Kingdom; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25439/15]

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Bobby Aylward

228. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there is appropriate funding available through her Department for an undergraduate Irish student seeking financial aid for maintenance and accommodation costs in order to accept a place on an undergraduate course in on-call children's therapy in Bournemouth in the United Kingdom; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25321/15]

Local Government Reform

Bobby Aylward

255. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if an independent committee is being set up with the purpose of examining the boundary between counties Kilkenny and Waterford; if such a committee is to be established, the way he plans to ensure absolute independence and transparency with regards to its membership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25429/15]

Social Welfare Payments Administration

Bobby Aylward

188. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason her Department has issued application forms for social welfare payments with a clear recommendation to use commercial banks in preference to using the post office; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24955/15]

Social Welfare Payments Administration

Bobby Aylward

189. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection with regard to the new forms for social welfare payments, which contain clear recommendations to use commercial banks in preference to using the post office, if she will withdraw and replace these forms with the previous issue of forms, where payment at the post office was given as the first option listed and no recommendation was made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24956/15]

Child and Family Agency Funding

Bobby Aylward

391. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will confirm that appropriate funding will be made available through his Department to support programmes such as the Kilkenny school completion programme, as its current funding is scheduled to cease in August 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24938/15]

Child and Family Agency Funding

Bobby Aylward

392. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he envisages that appropriate funding will be ring-fenced by his Department for the Child and Family Agency to continue to support programmes such as the Kilkenny school completion programme when their current funding ceases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24939/15]

Air Strips Usage

Bobby Aylward

653. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way he will ensure that there are no further low flying incidents reported at Kilkenny Airfield at Holdensrath in County Kilkenny following intensification of the use of same due to sponsored parachute jumping; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25018/15]

Departmental Funding

Bobby Aylward

105. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the way it transpired that tourism, cultural and heritage organisations in the inland counties of Carlow, Kilkenny, Kildare and Tipperary are prevented from accessing valuable INTERREG funding by the restriction to coastal counties outlined in the new Ireland-Wales Co-operation Programme (INTERREG) 2014 to 2020 Citizens Summary document; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24405/15]

Departmental Funding

Bobby Aylward

106. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason, in relation to Priority Access 3: Cultural and Natural Resources and Heritage, the drafting process led to the final version of the Citizens Summary featuring such explicit changes, from the 2014 consultation document, excluding inland counties from the Axis and focusing solely on coastal areas; if he will justify this seismic change of focus in relation to this specific aspect of the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24406/15]

Departmental Funding

Bobby Aylward

107. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason, in relation to Priority Axis 2: Adaption to Climate Change, the drafting process led to the final version of the Citizens Summary featuring such explicit changes, from the 2014 Consultation Document, excluding inland counties from the Axis and focusing solely on coastal areas; if he will justify this seismic change of focus in relation to this specific aspect of the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24407/15]