Parliamentary questions

Ministerial Meetings

Jan O'Sullivan

24. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if she will report on her meeting with the EU Commissioner for Competition; the discussions she had regarding state aid rules and the way in which they will affect the ability to assist companies that are negatively impacted by Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4589/19]

Enterprise Support Schemes

Jan O'Sullivan

32. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the position regarding the assistance available to businesses that wish to sell online to compete in the growing online market; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4591/19]

Legislative Measures

Jan O'Sullivan

34. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the way in which she will interact with Dáil Éireann to ensure that the elements of the miscellaneous provisions (withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union on 29 March 2019) Bill that relate to her brief are adequately debated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4590/19]

Brexit Preparations

Jan O'Sullivan

44. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the plans agencies under her aegis have to provide support to companies negatively affected by Brexit particularly in the absence of a deal between the EU and the UK; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4592/19]

Brexit Issues

Jan O'Sullivan

47. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the further preparation that has been made for the various possible outcomes (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50419/18]

Employment Rights

Jan O'Sullivan

189. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if consideration is being given to extending the right to work up to 70 years of age, which now applies to public servants and employees of semi-State companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4008/19]

Hospitals Building Programme

Jan O'Sullivan

339. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if the overrun in the projected cost of building the national children’s hospital will not delay the timeframe for delivery of the modular 60-bed unit and the 96-bed ward promised to alleviate pressure on a hospital (details supplied). [3906/19]

Back to Education Allowance Eligibility

Jan O'Sullivan

562. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if asylum seekers who have completed a first year of a course of study in a higher education institution under the sanctuary and refugee programme and who are subsequently granted status to remain here can qualify for the Back To Education Allowance for the remainder their course of study (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3989/19]

Disability Support Services

Jan O'Sullivan

608. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of persons who have a disability accessing homeless services; his plans to publish a national housing strategy for persons with a disability in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4107/19]

Mortgage to Rent Scheme

Jan O'Sullivan

612. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the measures he is taking to increase awareness of the mortgage to rent scheme among local authority staff, public representatives and persons who remain in mortgage difficulties and who fulfil the criteria to qualify for the scheme, thus allowing them to stay in their own homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4204/19]

Literacy Programmes

Jan O'Sullivan

83. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the programmes in place to improve workplace literacy, particularly in the context of the report of the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs and the sizeable number of persons in the workforce that need to improve their literacy, numeracy or digital skills in order to progress in the workplace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50417/18]

Social and Affordable Housing Data

Jan O'Sullivan

43. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of social homes completed in 2018 by local authorities and approved housing bodies; the number of void units restored and reallocated; the way in which he plans to ensure that the system delivers the number of homes that are needed annually to address the crisis in homelessness and housing need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1694/19]

Rent Pressure Zones

Jan O'Sullivan

48. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the cities of Limerick and Waterford will be included in the rent pressure zones in view of the rate of increase in private rents in both cities over the past year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54554/18]

Regeneration Projects Funding

Jan O'Sullivan

52. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount spent under the national regeneration budget for 2018; the allocations for each local authority that has a regeneration programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54557/18]

Local Area Plans

Jan O'Sullivan

76. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to publish legislation to provide for local area committees for towns and cities in which expansion into neighbouring counties requires planning across county boundaries; his plans to set up these committees in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54555/18]

Housing Data

Jan O'Sullivan

88. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of social housing units completed in 2018 nationally; the number constructed under the aegis of local authorities; the number of voids refurbished and re-allocated in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54556/18]

Humanitarian Aid Provision

Jan O'Sullivan

143. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the humanitarian efforts in South Sudan that are addressing the root causes of conflict will receive continued support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54413/18]

Humanitarian Aid Provision

Jan O'Sullivan

144. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the conflict resolution and peace building efforts at community level by the South Sudan council of churches in partnership with INGOs will receive continued funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54415/18]

Humanitarian Aid Provision

Jan O'Sullivan

146. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland will increase diplomatic efforts through the EU to ensure the fragile peace deal holds in South Sudan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54427/18]

Literacy Programmes

Jan O'Sullivan

350. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of persons that attended adult literacy and numeracy classes in each of the 16 education and training boards, ETBs in the past four years; the amount of funding spent on adult literacy and numeracy tuition in each ETB for each of those years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1176/19]

Fire Service

Jan O'Sullivan

1149. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the location of the proposed new fire service facility in Dunleer, County Louth; the status of the project that was announced in February 2016 as part of a €40 million investment programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1024/19]

Suicide Prevention

Jan O'Sullivan

300. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the crisis in Traveller suicide in view of the final report on the Future of Mental Health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53515/18]

Suicide Prevention

Jan O'Sullivan

301. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if resources will be allocated to address the disproportionate rate of suicide in the Traveller community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53517/18]

Suicide Prevention

Jan O'Sullivan

302. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to proposals to establish a specific Traveller mental strategy with allocated resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53518/18]

Departmental Correspondence

Jan O'Sullivan

432. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he has received a dossier from a person (details supplied); if same has been examined; the action he plans to take in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53241/18]

Medical Aids and Appliances Provision

Jan O'Sullivan

436. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if the use of transvaginal mesh will not be sanctioned for use again unless there has been a detailed scientific examination of its use that would justify such a decision; if survivors who have ongoing health issues as a result of its use can receive the treatment they require; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53250/18]

National Planning Framework

Jan O'Sullivan

674. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the draft southern regional spatial and economic strategy has been published and put out for public consultation; if not, when it will be available for public consultation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53385/18]

Hospital Groups

Jan O'Sullivan

141. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if the management at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, County Louth, and the HSE have undertaken an examination of the cost involved in renaming and rebranding the hospital in terms of stationery, signage and associated costs; the cost involved; the budget allocated to the initiative for 2018 and 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52604/18]

Hospital Groups

Jan O'Sullivan

142. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the process in place for the proposal to change the name of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda; the person or body that has ultimate responsibility for a decision in this regard; when he was advised of the plans; when the final decision will be taken on the proposed name change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52605/18]

Hospital Groups

Jan O'Sullivan

143. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if the management at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda or the HSE engaged independent consultants to advise on a proposed name change and rebranding for the hospital; the amount spent to date on the initiative; if the hospital plans to broaden the consultation process to include the wider community in the Drogheda area; when the consultation process will conclude; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52606/18]

Pensions Reform

Jan O'Sullivan

246. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she has addressed the issue of women whose children were born before 1994 who were excluded from the home carer's scheme and as a result qualify for a much reduced contributory pension in comparison to other women then took time out of the workforce to care for children; if not, her plans to address this issue in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52291/18]

Noise Pollution

Jan O'Sullivan

416. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to introduce legislation governing the use of crop bangers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51972/18]

Employment Data

Jan O'Sullivan

55. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the fact that while the Central Statistics Office, CSO, has found that there has been a 3% increase in the number of persons employed in the third quarter of 2018, there has been no change in employment numbers in the mid-west region; if this will be addressed by her Department and the State agencies under her aegis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50823/18]

Rural Regeneration and Development Fund

Jan O'Sullivan

78. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if she had an input into the criteria for qualification for the rural regeneration and the urban regeneration funds; if so, the extent to which job creation is a priority in the allocation of funds; if the successful projects will be monitored to ensure that objectives relevant to her Department will be achieved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50418/18]

Disability Allowance Eligibility

Jan O'Sullivan

553. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the limit for means to qualify for disability allowance; if there is leeway particularly for a person that has an occupational pension having had to retire early due to a long-term illness; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48907/18]

Planning Guidelines

Jan O'Sullivan

605. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the planning guidelines on the installation of solar panels in both urban and rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48847/18]

Social and Affordable Housing Provision

Jan O'Sullivan

628. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the progress made on the use of factory fabricated homes to address the need for housing to be delivered as quickly as possible and also the reported shortage of construction workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49380/18]

Hospital Accommodation Provision

Jan O'Sullivan

120. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if the HSE will develop a second X-ray room to support the expanded emergency department at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda; when the second room will become operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48670/18]

Social and Affordable Housing Data

Jan O'Sullivan

217. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of social houses built in County Waterford in the past 12 months; if Waterford City and County Council sought funding from his Department in order to build housing; and the housing waiting list figure for Waterford city and county. [48787/18]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Jan O'Sullivan

205. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to change the rules governing SUSI by which it will fund a diploma course in an approved college of further education but not the subsequent degree course should a student choose to continue in their studies (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47851/18]

Garda Resources

Jan O'Sullivan

256. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if funding will be made available in 2019 for the replacement of boats in the Garda water unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47921/18]

Trade Agreements

Jan O'Sullivan

317. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the position regarding a free trade agreement between the EU and Thailand; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47922/18]

Hospital Consultant Recruitment

Jan O'Sullivan

482. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health his plans to appoint an additional orthopaedic consultant surgeon to a hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48411/18]

Solar Energy Guidelines

Jan O'Sullivan

533. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the detail of his Department's guidelines on the installation of solar panels in both urban and rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47794/18]

Student Universal Support Ireland Administration

Jan O'Sullivan

76. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to change the regulations governing SUSI grants in circumstances (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47551/18]

Fisheries Protection

Jan O'Sullivan

67. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the steering group tasked with recommending ways to improve fish passage at Parteen and Ardnacrusha on the River Shannon, which was announced by the Minister of State at his Department and the Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, is accepting submissions from the public; if so, the way in which and the location to which submissions should be sent; the timeframe for the group to report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46899/18]

Vacant Sites Levy

Jan O'Sullivan

82. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of sites on the register of each local authority that will be subject to the vacant sites levy due to be applied in January 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46928/18]

Local Authority Housing Provision

Jan O'Sullivan

86. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to accelerate the opening up of vacant council properties to address the acute homelessness problem in cities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46927/18]

Traveller Accommodation

Jan O'Sullivan

89. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he has given consideration to taking action against local authorities that do not spend their allocated funding for Traveller specific accommodation in a given year in order to address the substandard accommodation in which many Traveller families are living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46900/18]

Nursing Staff Recruitment

Jan O'Sullivan

336. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if funding is in place and if the recruitment process has commenced for the position of a multiple sclerosis clinical nurse specialist in University Hospital Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46623/18]