Parliamentary questions

Electricity Transmission Network

Martin Heydon

158. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the work to date of the expert panel reviewing the Grid Link project; if it has appointed any external advisers; when he expects its work to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44677/14]

Electricity Transmission Network

Martin Heydon

159. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on an extension of the terms of reference of the independent expert panel reviewing the Grid Link and Grid West projects to incorporate a review of the overall need for Grid25; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44681/14]

Electricity Transmission Network

Martin Heydon

160. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the relationship between Grid25 and any possible future interconnection with Europe; his views on if additional independent reviews of this policy are required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44685/14]

Electricity Transmission Network

Martin Heydon

162. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the current position regarding EirGrid's right to access private lands; the legislation that governs these powers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44755/14]

Flood Relief Schemes Applications

Martin Heydon

59. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on a funding application from Kildare County Council for flood alleviation works in respect of an area (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44442/14]

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Martin Heydon

146. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if an oral hearing for an appeal for invalidity pension will be scheduled in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44217/14]

Minor Works Scheme Applications

Martin Heydon

482. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will review the case for a new minor works grant scheme for schools this year in view of the ongoing reduction in capitation grants; her views on re-introducing it as a standard payment every year so boards of management may budget effectively at the start of every year knowing what income will be available to them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44250/14]

School Transport Availability

Martin Heydon

200. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Education and Skills the details of school bus routes that exist between two areas (details supplied) in County Kildare; if there is no established route at present, her plans for this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43603/14]

Illness Benefit Appeals

Martin Heydon

171. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if a decision in respect of an appeal for illness benefit in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41175/14]

Closed-Circuit Television Systems Provision

Martin Heydon

545. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the funding available for communities wishing to install CCTV systems in local towns and villages; if this funding will be applied towards mobile CCTV units; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42038/14]

Schools Health and Safety

Martin Heydon

169. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will review a proposal (details supplied) for teacher training to help raise awareness among teachers of specific illnesses children may have, which need careful monitoring and attention during school hours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40891/14]

Community Development Initiatives

Martin Heydon

175. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his Department has any grants or provision for funding for community gardens run by community, volunteer or not for profit groups which use horticulture and gardening to provide social and therapeutic benefits to the persons and communities they support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40799/14]

Social Welfare Appeals Status

Martin Heydon

58. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal which is scheduled for an oral hearing in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; if the oral hearing will be arranged as soon as possible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39719/14]

Prison Staff

Martin Heydon

133. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the options open to a former prison officer regarding their discharge from service; the way they may have details of their case investigated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39729/14]

Youth Cafés Provision

Martin Heydon

146. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his plans to have future rounds of grant funding for youth cafés; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39671/14]

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Martin Heydon

14. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who has an appeal in for invalidity pension will be medically assessed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39473/14]

Mobility Allowance Eligibility

Martin Heydon

86. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health if a person who is currently in receipt of mobility allowance returns to work on a temporary basis, will they qualify again for the mobility allowance once the temporary work has finished; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39475/14]

Special Educational Needs Staffing

Martin Heydon

197. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on the changes to the way special needs assistants are allocated to schools; the way these changes will impact on the overall number of SNAs and resource teachers in schools this year; the reason the changes were deemed necessary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38673/14]

Health Promotion

Martin Heydon

102. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the progress of the Healthy Ireland project; his priorities in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36495/14]

Emergency Planning

Martin Heydon

105. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the measures the State has in place to deal with potential epidemics, particularly in view of the ongoing ebola crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36494/14]

Water Services Provision

Martin Heydon

592. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the protocols that are being developed and procedures to be followed in the taking in charge of housing estates by local authorities and the subsequent transfer of waste services infrastructure to Irish Water; when such protocols are expected to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37170/14]

Water Charges Administration

Martin Heydon

47. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her views on the request by Irish Water for the use of individual PPS numbers; the reason this is required by Irish Water; the provisions her Department will make to ensure that such information once provided to Irish Water is secure and used correctly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36377/14]

Shared Ownership Scheme

Martin Heydon

259. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the review of the shared ownership scheme with particular reference to the 4.5% rental increase which had previously been suspended and which is causing hardship for many householders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36291/14]

Capital Assistance Scheme Funding

Martin Heydon

265. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the assistance and financial supports available for local communities who are interested in developing independent living facilities in their area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36371/14]

Irish Water Administration

Martin Heydon

268. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the steps his Department will take or the action that has already been taken with Irish Water to address the sending of letters to incorrect addresses and wrong individuals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36378/14]

Broadband Service Speeds

Martin Heydon

272. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the roll-out of improved broadband services in an area (details supplied) in County Kildare; when he expects the mapping process to be concluded and published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36335/14]

Green Paper on Energy Publication

Martin Heydon

273. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the review of the Green Paper on energy policy; the consultation process of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36337/14]

Electricity Transmission Network

Martin Heydon

274. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the work of the expert group reviewing the Grid Link project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36339/14]

Broadband Service Provision

Martin Heydon

275. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason the national broadband service provided by 3 Ireland was discontinued; the provisions his Department is making for those living in rural Ireland who had relied on this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36366/14]

Driver Licences

Martin Heydon

286. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the progress in negotiations to introduce an exchange programme for Irish driving licence holders with Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36293/14]

Local Improvement Scheme

Martin Heydon

1708. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will extend funding to the local improvement scheme in 2015 in view of the value for money and significant improvements recent funding of the community involvement scheme has brought about; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34093/14]

Credit Unions Restructuring

Martin Heydon

158. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an update on the progress of returning credit union services to Newbridge, County Kildare, in view of the need for the services there; the role his Department is playing in this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32661/14]

Birth Certificates Provision

Martin Heydon

330. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the options open to an Irish person who has no birth certificate or record of their birth here, after making substantial enquiries, but who needs to obtain a birth certificate for official and social welfare purposes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32812/14]

Personal Public Service Data

Martin Heydon

344. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if applications for PPS numbers for persons (details supplied) in County Kildare will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32227/14]

Broadband Service Provision

Martin Heydon

446. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the mapping process being undertaken as part of the national broadband plan; the timeline for completion in view of the huge concerns about lack of suitable broadband in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32721/14]

Electricity Transmission Network

Martin Heydon

447. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the work of the expert panel that was appointed to review the routes for the GridLink project; the timelines he expects on its work with specific reference to considering underground routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32723/14]

Local Authority Functions

Martin Heydon

500. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the development of protocols required to clarify the procedures to be followed in the taking charge of housing estates by local authorities and the subsequent transfer of waste services infrastructure to Irish water; when such protocols are expected to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32705/14]

Guardian Status

Martin Heydon

603. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the way the concerns of unmarried fathers who have no automatic rights to guardianship are being dealt with; the role her Department has to address those concerns; the way future legislation will be able to assist; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32708/14]

Mortgage Interest Rates

Martin Heydon

218. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Finance the action he will take to ensure that predominantly State-owned banks pass on recent interest rate reductions to their customers who are on variable rate mortgages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29861/14]

Rural Transport Programme

Martin Heydon

839. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the roll-out of the revised rural transport programme; the timelines that are envisaged for its completed restructuring and integration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29875/14]

Rural Transport Programme

Martin Heydon

840. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the roll-out of the restructured rural transport programme in County Kildare; the progress that has been made to date; the issues that remain outstanding; when he expects the restructuring in County Kildare to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29876/14]

Mobility Allowance Decision

Martin Heydon

215. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health his plans to review the current driving concessions available for persons with disabilities and who require assistance and support with driving; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28903/14]

School Staffing

Martin Heydon

87. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review the case for retention of a third teacher at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare which will have the required number of pupils in September 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28736/14]

Disabled Drivers and Passengers Scheme

Martin Heydon

185. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health the options open to persons who require financial support with mobility issues and car adaptations but are not in a position to pay up-front for such changes and claim tax relief; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28737/14]

Haulage Industry Regulation

Martin Heydon

14. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the work of the interdepartmental working group considering the establishment of a pay-as-you-go road tax scheme for HGVs here similar to that introduced in the UK, in view of the pressures facing road hauliers at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27388/14]

Cycling Policy

Martin Heydon

25. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to extend the network of greenways across the country, with specific reference to County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27389/14]

Turbary Rights

Martin Heydon

120. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding the implementation of the national raised bog SAC management plan and NHA review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27706/14]

Turbary Rights

Martin Heydon

121. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the work that has been carried out on examining options for plot holders on a bog (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27711/14]

Turbary Rights

Martin Heydon

122. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the possibility of de-designation of part of a bog (details supplied) in County Kildare is being considered with the EU as part of the national plan in view of the lack of suitable alternative bogs nearby; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27716/14]

Electricity Transmission Network

Martin Heydon

129. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the work of the expert panel that was appointed to review the routes for the Grid Link project, with specific reference to considering underground routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27763/14]