Parliamentary questions

Child Care Costs

Jan O'Sullivan

267. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the maximum hourly and weekly child care subsidy that will be paid for a child aged 18 months, assuming the lowest possible gross and net family income under existing child care schemes in September 2017; the maximum subsidy such a child or similar child will receive when the affordable child care scheme is introduced, or would have received if the affordable child care scheme had been introduced in September 2017 in accordance with details published in October 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21209/17]

Child Care Services Inquiry

Jan O'Sullivan

268. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason for the delay in introducing the affordable child care scheme; when her attention was drawn to this; when it is expected she will address those reasons and commence the scheme; if the maximum and minimum subsidies indicated (details supplied) still apply; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21210/17]

Direct Provision Data

Jan O'Sullivan

209. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons moved out of direct provision in each of the past ten years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20819/17]

Teachers' Professional Development

Jan O'Sullivan

315. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the concerns in the mid-west that the support for the reading recovery programme provided through a college (details supplied) may be reduced from September 2017; if he will ensure that these schools can continue to provide the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19413/17]

School Transport Eligibility

Jan O'Sullivan

331. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a child is attending a primary school that is being relocated and is no longer the nearest national school as determined by the Department or Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language, if the child can be considered eligible for the primary school transport scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19659/17]

Housing Provision

Jan O'Sullivan

420. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government to outline the way in which families may avail of family-friendly temporary accommodation units; the way in which these units are being allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20820/17]

Housing Provision

Jan O'Sullivan

421. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government to outline the way in which homeless persons in commercial hotel and bed and breakfast emergency accommodation will be allocated housing before the mid-2017 deadline to cease the use of these facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20821/17]

Housing Provision

Jan O'Sullivan

422. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government to outline the proportion of HAP, rapid build and social housing units that will be used to provide housing for homeless families in order to meet the mid-2017 deadline to cease the use of commercial hotel and bed and breakfast emergency accommodation for homeless persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20822/17]

Public Sector Pensions

Jan O'Sullivan

663. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he and his Government colleagues have given consideration to aligning the retirement age for public servants with the pension age; if he will, in particular, allow those who work in the public service and who wish to continue in their employment beyond the age of 65 to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19477/17]

General Practitioner Services

Jan O'Sullivan

1041. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if a general practitioner can charge a medical card holder a cost for blood tests when those blood tests are required to monitor an ongoing medical condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20259/17]

Road Traffic Legislation

Jan O'Sullivan

1316. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will, in conjunction with the NRA, consider reduced speed limits at junctions from motorways at which there is a build up of exiting traffic in order to reduce accidents at these junctions; if he will consider junctions 28, 29 and 30 from the M7 in particular; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19420/17]

School Transport Provision

Jan O'Sullivan

134. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to introduce a school bus service from Dooradoyle to Mungret for persons attending a school (details supplied) which is being relocated from its current location in Dooradoyle to Mungret; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18442/17]

Airport Policy

Jan O'Sullivan

733. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to plans to change the categorisation of Shannon Airport from category nine to category seven in view of the fact this was not part of the plan for the airport at the time of its separation from the DAA; the reason this is under consideration now; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17529/17]

Emergency Accommodation Provision

Jan O'Sullivan

14. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will achieve the target of no longer using hotels to house homeless persons, except in very limited circumstances, by July 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16826/17]

Rent Controls

Jan O'Sullivan

18. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will review the criteria used to designate areas as rent pressure zones, particularly the use of local electoral areas, LEAs, in view of the fact the basis for calculating qualification makes it difficult for certain portions of LEAs to qualify, even if they are experiencing high rental increases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16797/17]

Housing Policy

Jan O'Sullivan

66. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the progress that has been made on Action 5.1 of Rebuilding Ireland; the actions included in the range of actions to bring vacant units back into use; if he will consider the appointment of empty house officers in local authorities, as proposed by a charity (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16798/17]

EU Directives

Jan O'Sullivan

71. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he has received clarification or advice as to whether amending the Water Services Act 2007 can adequately address the requirements for Ireland to comply with the Water Framework Directive and the waste water directive of European law; if he has received further clarification from the EU Commission in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16801/17]

Courts Service

Jan O'Sullivan

90. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the Courts Service plans to recruit new staff for the new Drogheda courthouse; when these positions will be advertised; when the new courthouse will become operational; the overall cost of the project; if it will accommodate sittings of the Circuit Court; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17318/17]

Bus Éireann

Jan O'Sullivan

314. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will intervene in the current industrial relations dispute which has seen Bus Éireann services withdrawn across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17316/17]

Low Pay

Jan O'Sullivan

670. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the progress that has been made in reviewing the amount of money allowable for the cost of bed and board which can be deducted from the weekly payment due to au pairs; when she expects the review to be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16020/17]

Voluntary Sector Funding

Jan O'Sullivan

67. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the amount allocated to voluntary and community organisations in each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017 by her Department, including a breakdown of all funding schemes and-or streams; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15686/17]

Voluntary Sector Funding

Jan O'Sullivan

109. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the amount allocated to voluntary and community organisations in each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017 by his Department, including a breakdown of all funding schemes and-or streams; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15682/17]

Voluntary Sector Funding

Jan O'Sullivan

123. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount allocated to voluntary and community organisations in each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017 by her Department, including a breakdown of all funding schemes and-or streams; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15684/17]

Voluntary Sector Funding

Jan O'Sullivan

157. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the amount allocated to voluntary and community organisations in each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017 by his Department, including a breakdown of all funding schemes and-or streams; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15681/17]

Departmental Funding

Jan O'Sullivan

194. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount allocated to voluntary and community organisations in each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017 by his department, including a breakdown of all funding schemes and or streams; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15693/17]

Voluntary Sector Funding

Jan O'Sullivan

205. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount allocated to voluntary and community organisations in each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017 by her Department, including a breakdown of all funding schemes and-or streams; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15683/17]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Jan O'Sullivan

20. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will publish the second interim report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes; if she, in conjunction with her Government colleagues, is considering the establishment of a redress scheme for survivors; if in the meantime there is a contact point for information and support for those whose lives have been affected by mother and baby homes and other institutions in which unmarried mothers gave birth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15423/17]

Child Care Services Provision

Jan O'Sullivan

23. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she has given further consideration to concerns raised regarding the proposed single affordable child care scheme that some of the poorest families will have less access for their children to after-school provision including homework clubs and social activities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15135/17]

Child Care Services

Jan O'Sullivan

28. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the IT portal that will be used to receive applications for the affordable child care scheme due to be introduced in September 2017 will be ready to both receive applications and calculate the level of support to be given for each child; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15137/17]

Area Based Childhood Programme

Jan O'Sullivan

48. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the discussions that have taken place to ensure that the area based childhood programme can continue to support families in the most vulnerable communities; if she will continue to provide the necessary funding beyond that which has been allocated for 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15136/17]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Jan O'Sullivan

66. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when she will publish the second interim report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes; the engagement she has had with Judge Murphy regarding expanding the scope of the commission; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15132/17]

Tenant Purchase Scheme Eligibility

Jan O'Sullivan

415. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the rules and flexibility applying to the tenant purchase scheme in relation to the amount that can be paid by way of a lump sum in conjunction with the portion that is liable by way of mortgage; the length of time a member of a household must be named on the tenancy before their income can be taken into account in the purchase of the house; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13123/17]

Community Enterprise Centres

Jan O'Sullivan

419. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government when a project (details supplied) under the Limerick regeneration programme can proceed to construction now that the tender phase has been completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13132/17]

Building Control Management System

Jan O'Sullivan

449. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will provide a monthly housing completions record on the building control management systems from March 2014 to date in 2017, broken down by county and indicating once off, estate housing, apartments, local authority, approved housing bodies and private sector, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13669/17]

Household Benefits Scheme

Jan O'Sullivan

484. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the social welfare rights of survivors, widows and widowers under 60 years of age in view of the fact that those over 60 years of age can retain household benefits if their deceased spouse was in receipt of them, whereas those under 60 years of age cannot; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12806/17]

Road Projects Status

Jan O'Sullivan

1190. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the money allocated to date for the construction of a road (details supplied); when further funding will be allocated for the next phase; when he envisages the project will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13152/17]

Child Care Services Staff

Jan O'Sullivan

1304. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if early years practitioners working in Government-funded early years settings are entitled to claim flat rate expenses in the same manner as teachers from primary to tertiary level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13617/17]

Community Childcare Subvention Programme

Jan O'Sullivan

831. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if consideration has been given to the concerns raised by the community child care sector that the proposed new affordable child care scheme will reduce the support for school-going children of parents that are unemployed; if there is consideration of this in the drafting of the Bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11931/17]

Local Authority Housing Provision

Jan O'Sullivan

102. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of houses and apartments that will be built and turnkey ready in Limerick city in 2017, excluding void figures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10811/17]

Local Authority Housing Data

Jan O'Sullivan

103. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the percentage of social housing allocations to homeless persons and families in Limerick city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10812/17]

Local Authority Housing Provision

Jan O'Sullivan

104. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the percentage of new social housing builds that will be suitable for and allocated to single persons in Limerick city in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10813/17]

Hospital Facilities

Jan O'Sullivan

179. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the HSE's future plans for the laundry department at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10792/17]

Nursing Home Accommodation Provision

Jan O'Sullivan

180. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health when construction work will commence on the redeveloped St. Mary's Hospital and Boyne View House expansion project in Drogheda, County Louth; the overall cost of the project; the timeframe for the completion of the work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10793/17]

Nursing Home Accommodation Provision

Jan O'Sullivan

181. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health when construction work will commence on the development of a new residential care facility for older persons at St. Brigid's complex, Ardee, County Louth; the overall cost of the project; the timeframe for the completion of the work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10800/17]

Aftercare Services

Jan O'Sullivan

380. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of young persons in receipt of aftercare support who are not engaged in training or education; the number in full-time or part-time employment; the actions her Department and Tusla are taking to encourage and support labour market activation for those young persons not currently in employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11144/17]

Speech and Language Therapy Provision

Jan O'Sullivan

268. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health his plans to recruit more speech and language and occupational therapists for the community services, specifically to provide more sessions for children who are currently in receipt of services and those who are on waiting lists for such services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10611/17]

Child Abuse Prevention

Jan O'Sullivan

312. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to introduce amending legislation to the Child Care Act 1991 to address the fact that there is no specific provision within the Act to provide for Tusla to conduct assessments of abuse perpetrated against children, which was raised at the Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs recently; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10563/17]

Employment Support Services

Jan O'Sullivan

452. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will make contact with Seetec to establish a satellite office for the service in Ardee, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10477/17]

Hospitals Funding

Jan O'Sullivan

535. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if the HSE will allocate additional money to University Hospital Limerick in order that the new emergency department can open in May 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9653/17]

Medicinal Products Prices

Jan O'Sullivan

537. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the outcome from the meetings between the HSE and a company (details supplied) in relation to Orkambi and Kalydeco; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9655/17]