Parliamentary questions

Retail Sector

Billy Kelleher

289. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of applications to the retail online scheme to date by county; the number of eligible and ineligible applications, respectively; and the number of approved applications to which funding has issued in tabular form. [16038/19]

Local Enterprise Offices

Billy Kelleher

290. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the budget allocation to the digital trading vouchers provided by local enterprise offices, LEOs, in each of the years 2016 to 2018; the 2019 allocation; the amount expended in each such year; and the number of digital trading vouchers provided by LEOs in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019, by county in tabular form. [16039/19]

Long-Term Illness Scheme Coverage

Billy Kelleher

364. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) with type 1 diabetes will be provided with access to CREON under the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16237/19]

Medical Card Applications

Billy Kelleher

386. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when a medical card will issue on discretionary grounds to a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16382/19]

Brexit Preparations

Billy Kelleher

470. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to protect Irish fishing interests at EU level; the measures he will take to protect the fishing sector in the event of a no-deal Brexit; the position regarding discussions from the most recent EU Council meeting of fisheries ministers; the position regarding the current common fisheries policy; and if a review will take place in 2019. [16041/19]

Brexit Preparations

Billy Kelleher

471. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to protect Irish agrifood interests and farmers at EU level; the measures he will take to protect the sector and farmers in the event of a no-deal Brexit; the position regarding discussions from the most recent EU Council meeting of agriculture ministers; the position regarding the common agriculture policy post-2020; and the latest developments in relation to the European Commission proposals published in June 2018. [16042/19]

Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility

Billy Kelleher

575. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated take-up in the first full year of extending carers and illness benefit to eligible self-employed class S PRSI contributors. [16040/19]

Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility

Billy Kelleher

578. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 234 of 29 November 2018, the estimated cost of introducing the proposals in question in the first year; and the full year cost of extending these benefits to the self-employed. [16111/19]

Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility

Billy Kelleher

579. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 233 of 29 November 2018, the estimated cost of introducing the proposal in the first year; and the full year cost of extending this benefit to the self-employed. [16112/19]

Departmental Communications

Billy Kelleher

104. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Taoiseach the details of each Government of Ireland branded information initiative in 2018 and to date in 2019 which carried out functions (details supplied), in tabular form; the level of expenditure for each such initiative; and if his officials were involved in providing instructions and advice on promoting each such initiative. [15668/19]

Government Information Service

Billy Kelleher

105. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Taoiseach if his officials were involved in providing instructions and advice on promoting a video (details supplied); the detail of all such meetings that took place; and the funding provided for the video. [15669/19]

Government Information Service

Billy Kelleher

108. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his officials were involved in providing instructions and advice on promoting a video (details supplied); the detail of all such meetings that took place; and the funding provided for the video. [15670/19]

Innovation Vouchers Initiative

Billy Kelleher

133. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of applications to the innovation voucher scheme of Enterprise Ireland, by county, in each of the years 2010 to 2018, inclusive; the number of eligible and ineligible applications, respectively; the funds allocated to the scheme in each such year, including to date in 2019; and the amount subsequently expended in each year, in tabular form. [15665/19]

Consumer Protection

Billy Kelleher

134. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the recourse persons have due to consumer protection regulations with respect to car rental companies charging different customers for the same pre-existing damage while forgoing to repair the vehicle (details supplied); and the number of related complaints submitted to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission relating to such car rental issues in each of the years 2014 to 2018, and to date in 2019, in tabular form. [15666/19]

Departmental Expenditure

Billy Kelleher

135. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the cost of making a video (details supplied) on regional enterprise plans; the Department that funded the video; the number of meetings she and senior staff have had with accounting officers and with staff from other Departments, including Accounting Officers who were involved in giving instructions and advice on promoting the video; and the details of all such meetings, in tabular form. [15667/19]

Trade Agreements

Billy Kelleher

136. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the status of the ratification process for the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, CETA; the number of member states that have ratified it; the status of the outcome of the recent opinion of the Advocate General of the European Court of Justice, ECJ, on the compatibility of the investment court system with the European treaties; and when the CETA agreement will be voted on by Dáil Éireann. [15671/19]

Trade Agreements

Billy Kelleher

137. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the European Union free trade agreements entered into since 2000 that have included a dispute settlement mechanism based on the World Trade Organization, WTO, dispute settlement mechanism, in tabular form. [15672/19]

Trade Agreements

Billy Kelleher

138. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the European Union free trade agreements entered into since 2009, which include investor to state dispute settlement mechanisms in trade and investment agreements, in tabular form. [15673/19]

Trade Agreements

Billy Kelleher

139. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of bilateral trade agreements entered into by EU member states since the late 1960s, which contain provisions to protect investments and investor to state dispute settlements. [15674/19]

Trade Agreements

Billy Kelleher

140. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the EU or national studies or research regarding employment growth, job creation and the increase in exports of goods and services as a direct result of EU free trade agreements, from an EU and Irish perspective, and other benefits accruing. [15675/19]

Trade Agreements

Billy Kelleher

141. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the EU free trade agreements that are in pre-negotiation phase; and the details of the impact assessments with each such free trade agreement. [15676/19]

Medical Aids and Appliances Provision

Billy Kelleher

157. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when funding will be provided for a replacement wheelchair for a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15556/19]

Exports Data

Billy Kelleher

105. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Taoiseach the number of SMEs that account for total exports of goods and services on a percentage basis by each country in 2017 and 2018; and the number of persons employed in such SMEs in tabular form. [12766/19]

National Minimum Wage

Billy Kelleher

113. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Taoiseach the number of persons on a wage at or below the minimum wage level by gender and age. [12757/19]

Employment Data

Billy Kelleher

177. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Finance the details of jobs multiplier models used for employment forecasts; the latest forecast for each year in the 2020 to 2025 period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12756/19]

Adult Education Provision

Billy Kelleher

285. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the participation rate here in lifelong learning in each of the years 2014 to 2018 and to date in 2019; the EU average rate for same based on latest data in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12754/19]

Regional Development Policy

Billy Kelleher

589. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the status of the A programme for A Partnership Government commitment to prioritise balanced regional development which will aim to allow for an unemployment rate in each county that is within 1% of the State average by 2020. [12750/19]

Job Creation Targets

Billy Kelleher

590. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the regional job targets and unemployment rate projections under A Programme for A Partnership Government for 2020 and Enterprise 2025, by year and region; the latest figures relating to these targets; the monitoring and reporting mechanisms in place; and her job targets up to 2020 by region, in tabular form. [12751/19]

Employment Data

Billy Kelleher

591. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of young persons aged between 15 and 29 years of age classified as not in employment, education or training; the percentage as a proportion of the number of unemployed; the corresponding EU average rate in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12752/19]

Employment Data

Billy Kelleher

592. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if she is satisfied with the latest female participation rate in the labour force here compared with the EU rate; if she has carried out an analysis of this area; and the actions being taken to increase the rate. [12753/19]

Enterprise 2025

Billy Kelleher

593. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the details of jobs multiplier models used for employment forecasts in Enterprise 2025 Renewed; the latest forecast for each year ahead in the 2020 to 2025 period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12755/19]

Oireachtas Select Committee Reports

Billy Kelleher

594. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the status of recommendations made in the Report on the Cost of Doing Business published by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Business, Enterprise and Innovation in July 2018; if each such recommendation has been completed, not completed or is ongoing, respectively; and the timeline for recommendations to be delivered by in tabular form. [12762/19]

Imports and Exports Data

Billy Kelleher

595. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the volume and value of imports on a percentage basis in 2017 and 2018, by country, in tabular form. [12763/19]

Imports and Exports Data

Billy Kelleher

596. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the volume and value of exports on a percentage basis in 2017 and 2018, by country, in tabular form. [12764/19]

Imports and Exports Data

Billy Kelleher

597. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the amount in value of goods exported from firms based here by country in 2017 and 2018; and the percentage share of such exports to each country in this period as a proportion of the total share, in tabular form. [12765/19]

Drug Rehabilitation Clinics

Billy Kelleher

832. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his plans for the HSE to provide a drug detox and rehabilitation facility in Cork city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13627/19]

National Minimum Wage

Billy Kelleher

1237. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her views on concerns expressed by an organisation (details supplied) regarding the sub-minimum rates introduced on 4 March 2019; and her powers under legislation regarding the adjustment of rates depending on labour market conditions. [12758/19]

Hospitals Building Programme

Billy Kelleher

55. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the timeframe for the construction of a new hospital in County Cork; if a site has been selected; the stage the process is at; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12211/19]

Defence Forces Reorganisation

Billy Kelleher

105. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the re-establishment of the three brigade structure in the Defence Forces will be considered. [12567/19]

Defence Forces

Billy Kelleher

106. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces being given an equal say in defence policy matters with the Secretary General of his Department is being considered. [12568/19]

Defence Forces Remuneration

Billy Kelleher

107. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if retention issues in the Defence Forces will be addressed by examining pay allowances in detail (details supplied). [12569/19]

Local Enterprise Offices Data

Billy Kelleher

177. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 155 and 156 of 16 January 2019, if the 2018 data have been collated. [12694/19]

Brexit Expenditure

Billy Kelleher

57. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the funding expended by his Department in promoting and hosting all Getting Ireland Brexit Ready events to date; the costs associated with advertising, design work, photography, event staging and venue hire, print and online media advertising and public relations in tabular form; the budget allocated in his Department for the Getting Ireland Brexit Ready events with respect to promotional activities in 2018 and 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12420/19]

Naturalisation Applications

Billy Kelleher

187. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of adult applications for naturalisation based on Irish association granted in 2018. [11687/19]

Naturalisation Applications

Billy Kelleher

188. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the way in which a person can apply for naturalisation based on Irish descent or Irish association without residing here. [11688/19]

Naturalisation Applications

Billy Kelleher

189. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when a person is applying for naturalisation based on Irish association, if there are circumstances in which time spent here on a stamp 2 would be considered for the three year residency requirement. [11689/19]

Brexit Supports

Billy Kelleher

250. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of applicants and participants in Brexit schemes and supports provided by her Department or agencies under her remit in tabular form; and the amount allocated and expended to each such scheme in each year since being established. [12421/19]

Brexit Supports

Billy Kelleher

251. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of firms that have applied for working capital under the Brexit SME loan scheme; the number of firms that have been sanctioned financing to date by firm size (details supplied); and the total value of same in tabular form. [12422/19]

Brexit Supports

Billy Kelleher

252. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the latest figures regarding the Brexit SME loan scheme launched in March 2018 for items (details supplied) in tabular form. [12423/19]

Enterprise Support Schemes

Billy Kelleher

253. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation when the future growth loan scheme announced in budget 2018 will open for applications; the terms and conditions of this scheme; and the length of time the scheme will stay open for applications. [12424/19]