Parliamentary questions

Teachers' Remuneration

Jan O'Sullivan

269. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of allowances previously available to teachers which were removed following a review of allowances during the recession; the estimated annual saving through the reduction of these allowances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18639/19]

Autism Support Services

Jan O'Sullivan

345. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he is taking to ensure enough special classes are attached to mainstream schools in order that all children diagnosed with autism who need such facilities and supports can access them; the new such classrooms planned for schools in Limerick city and county at both primary and post-primary levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19459/19]

Student Grant Scheme Applications

Jan O'Sullivan

361. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there are extenuating circumstances that SUSI can take into account when deciding whether to accept a late application aside from the death of a close family member or medical circumstances that prevent the student from submitting an application during the requested timeframe, for example, bankruptcy proceedings and home repossession proceedings against the student's family during the time period for accepting applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19677/19]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme

Jan O'Sullivan

596. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if an assessment has been carried out on the number of homes left empty due to the effect the sale of those homes would have on the qualification of the owner for the fair deal scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18641/19]

Nursing Home Subventions

Jan O'Sullivan

677. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce changes to the fair deal scheme; if the changes will include examining the effect of the sale or rental of the home of the person applying for the scheme which has led to many homes being left empty in the midst of a shortage of supply of homes nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18638/19]

HSE Expenditure

Jan O'Sullivan

682. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the amount spent on taxis by the Health Service Executive in the most recent year for which figures exist by each community healthcare organisation area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18657/19]

Maternity Services

Jan O'Sullivan

683. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the progress in the implementation of the national maternity hospital strategy; if the budget to roll out the strategy has been ring-fenced as originally intended in order to ensure the continuing roll out of the 77 actions contained in the strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18660/19]

Broadband Service Provision

Jan O'Sullivan

1215. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when high-speed fibre broadband will be available to areas in the vicinity of Tullyallen, County Louth (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18637/19]

Child and Family Agency

Jan O'Sullivan

1335. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the electrical upgrading and other remediation works carried out on the Tusla refuge in Rathmines, Dublin 6; the reason for the long closure period for the works; the reopening date for the refuge; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18444/19]

National Minimum Wage

Jan O'Sullivan

1506. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the widespread practice of contracted private companies providing homecare packages under the HSE home support service not paying travel time or mileage for care assistants travelling between house calls; when a case (details supplied) will be legislated for; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20092/19]

Tax Code

Jan O'Sullivan

64. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 151 of 9 April 2019, if the meeting between the Revenue Commissioners and an organisation (details supplied) has taken place; if not, if a date has been set for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18149/19]

Emergency Departments

Jan O'Sullivan

171. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if a crisis response to the overcrowding in the emergency department of University Hospital Limerick including the reopening of all closed beds in the region will be sanctioned (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18150/19]

School Patronage

Jan O'Sullivan

118. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to provide for more diversity of choice for parents of primary school children in an area (details supplied); if divestment or other proposals are under consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17877/19]

Education and Training Boards

Jan O'Sullivan

123. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for ongoing delays in the development of the new Louth and Meath Education and Training Board headquarters facility in Drogheda, County Louth; the planned date for commencement of the building project on the site in Drogheda; the progress made to advance the project in 2018 and to date in 2019; the funds expended on the head office project in each of the years 2015 to 2018 and to date in 2019, including professional and consultancy fees, surveying, legal fees and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17989/19]

Local Authority Housing Data

Jan O'Sullivan

240. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the average time it takes for each local authority to relet council homes after they become vacant in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17875/19]

Local Authority Funding

Jan O'Sullivan

242. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the reason an application from Louth County Council for grant aid under the urban regeneration and development fund for the development of the Drogheda northern port access route was recently refused by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17988/19]

Special Educational Needs Staff

Jan O'Sullivan

65. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an SNA who has taken a career break to undertake further study is eligible to work during his or her career break in the same way as a teacher who is on a career break can carry out substitution duties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17008/19]

School Patronage

Jan O'Sullivan

77. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to open up consideration of divestment of a national school to provide a multidenominational option for persons in north County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17101/19]

Planning Guidelines

Jan O'Sullivan

221. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when the working group will publish the outcome of its deliberations on new rural housing guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17083/19]

UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Jan O'Sullivan

98. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when he plans to complete the legislation necessary for ratification to be fully activated further to the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16915/19]

Nursing Staff Recruitment

Jan O'Sullivan

144. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the status of the recruitment process for a multiple sclerosis clinical nurse specialist in University Hospital Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16903/19]

Traveller Data

Jan O'Sullivan

201. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the levels of Traveller participation in activation programmes; the targeted measures used to increase Traveller involvement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16894/19]

Traveller Community

Jan O'Sullivan

202. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to establish a Traveller specific employment strategy to support the training and employment objectives of the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy in view of the 80% unemployment rate in the community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16904/19]

Planning Guidelines

Jan O'Sullivan

66. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties encountered in a number of towns in obtaining planning permission for housing developments due to the density restrictions in Project Ireland 2040; if clarification will be issued to planning authorities in relation to densities that are appropriate to towns and cities, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16328/19]

Local Authority Housing Data

Jan O'Sullivan

98. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the reason the number of voids restored to use is no longer counted in the housing delivery statistical comparisons with previous years; the reason the number approved for 2018 is considerably lower than in previous years; his plans to change the way in which local authorities are assisted in bringing their own empty properties back into use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16329/19]

Private Rented Accommodation

Jan O'Sullivan

111. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his views on the fact that investment and private equity firms are buying entire new apartment developments; if he has had discussions with his ministerial colleagues on addressing the advantages these firms have in order to ensure a level playing field for other potential purchasers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16330/19]

Home Loan Scheme

Jan O'Sullivan

112. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the progress he has made in securing more funding for the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme; the way in which local authorities are dealing with applications in cases in which they have run out of funding for the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16332/19]

Homelessness Strategy

Jan O'Sullivan

115. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the way in which he plans to reverse the rise in the number of families and persons becoming homeless; if further measures will be introduced to assist persons to remain in their homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16331/19]

Tax Code

Jan O'Sullivan

151. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance the status of the probe carried out by the Revenue Commissioners into reports that cost of living increases due to those holding private pensions were not paid by some insurance companies under schemes, including those for which an annuity was paid and which required such cost of living increases to be paid to those pension holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16195/19]

Regional Road Network

Jan O'Sullivan

429. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of funding requested by Louth County Council in 2018 to support the development of the northern port access route in Drogheda, County Louth; the criteria laid down to qualify for such capital funding; the reason the funding application from Louth County Council was unsuccessful; his plan to fund the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14768/19]

Garda Station Refurbishment

Jan O'Sullivan

74. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the refurbishment and building works that will take place at Drogheda Garda station in 2019; the cost of the programme of works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14579/19]

School Staff

Jan O'Sullivan

82. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills when his Department will meet with representatives of a union (details supplied) to discuss the need to review pay arrangements, policy and the terms and conditions of grant-funded school secretaries and caretakers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14632/19]

Autism Support Services

Jan O'Sullivan

113. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the services and activities that a centre (details supplied) provides; if the HSE has plans to set up such a centre in County Kerry to be funded centrally by the Department; if similar activities on an ongoing basis for children with autism will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14582/19]

Autism Support Services

Jan O'Sullivan

114. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if the HSE has plans to provide a counselling and advice service for families, in particular for the siblings of children diagnosed with autism in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14583/19]

Autism Support Services

Jan O'Sullivan

119. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the services available for children diagnosed with autism in County Kerry; if these services are continuous for each child in view of the fact that children in the county are only receiving a small number of appointments to the services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14597/19]

Hospital Facilities

Jan O'Sullivan

133. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health when the proposed new additional X-ray room at the newly developed extension to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda will be provided following the decision by HSE estates to withdraw the project in October 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14633/19]

Local Area Plans

Jan O'Sullivan

215. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if Meath and Louth county councils have adopted a local area plan for the area of interest that was the subject of the Drogheda boundary commission report published in 2017; if an implementation group has been formed by both councils to implement the proposals from the review; if he is satisfied with progress to date on developing a unified vision for the area that was subject of the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14631/19]

Credit Availability

Jan O'Sullivan

113. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the difficulty persons who wish to downsize are experiencing in accessing bridging loans; if this issue will be addressed in his contact with the Central Bank and the wider banking sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14452/19]

Local Elections Expenditure

Jan O'Sullivan

288. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the guidelines and spending limits that will apply for the local elections in May 2019; his plans to issue further guidelines in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14363/19]

Local Authority Housing Waiting Lists

Jan O'Sullivan

289. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of persons on the housing and transfer waiting lists by each local authority by the most recent figures available in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14365/19]

Human Rights

Jan O'Sullivan

153. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to support a UN binding treaty on business and human rights in 2019; if feedback will be provided on the draft of the treaty; if he will participate in upcoming consultations organised by the chair-rapporteur of the UN open-ended intergovernmental working group on transnational corporations and other business enterprises with respect to human rights, OEIGWG; if he will attend the fifth intergovernmental meeting of the OEIGWG in Geneva in October 2019; if he will help to ensure the EU participates with a negotiating mandate in the fifth session of the OEIGWG; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13203/19]

Garda Stations

Jan O'Sullivan

246. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the ownership of the former Garda station at Tubbermore Road, Dalkey, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12851/19]

Home Tuition Scheme Provision

Jan O'Sullivan

362. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a three year old child who has been diagnosed with ASD can be allocated home tuition hours even if there is a place available in an early intervention or ASD setting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13630/19]

Garda Data

Jan O'Sullivan

512. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of community gardaí allocated to County Limerick over the past ten years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13318/19]

Health Services Provision

Jan O'Sullivan

752. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the reason treatment such as bracing for young persons with the pectus carinatum condition is not available through the HSE; if the HSE plans to provide this treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13370/19]

Abortion Services Provision

Jan O'Sullivan

789. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the status of plans to provide free access to termination of pregnancy services for women from Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13499/19]

Abortion Services Provision

Jan O'Sullivan

790. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if catchment areas apply for access to termination of pregnancy services in hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13500/19]

Health Services

Jan O'Sullivan

791. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health his views on the activities of a centre (details supplied); his further views on the provision of ultrasound services by persons without appropriate training; his plans to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13501/19]

Health Services Provision

Jan O'Sullivan

792. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the terms of reference and membership of the working group on contraception; if the group will examine the free provision of long-acting, reversible contraceptives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13502/19]

Organ Donation

Jan O'Sullivan

794. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health when a soft opt-out organ donor consent system will be introduced to replace the opt-in system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13504/19]

Community Employment Schemes Eligibility

Jan O'Sullivan

1298. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person (details supplied) on a community employment scheme who will exhaust his or her six-year entitlement on that scheme in 2019 can leave the community employment system when he or she exhausts those six years, sign on and subsequently find a place on a new community employment scheme under the service support stream; if he or she will have to find a place under the service support stream before exhausting his or her six-year entitlement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13692/19]

Home Loan Scheme

Jan O'Sullivan

1414. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when the review of the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme will be completed; when funding for 2019 will be allocated; if he will allow flexibility for councils that have spent their budget to grant funding for applications that have already been approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13629/19]

Home Loan Scheme

Jan O'Sullivan

116. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance if he has been in contact with the Central Bank about a review of the funding and-or the interest rate of the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12331/19]

Home Loan Scheme

Jan O'Sullivan

127. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has given indications, guidance or directive regarding the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme in recent weeks; if funding has been made available to ensure that those who qualify for the loan will not have undue delays in approval due to funding issues; if changes in the scheme including the interest rate are being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12332/19]

Hospital Waiting Lists Action Plans

Jan O'Sullivan

295. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for scoliosis operations; the steps taken to reduce waiting times for these operations; if there has been an increase in the number of consultants dealing with patients with scoliosis and future plans to reduce waiting lists for children with scoliosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11598/19]

Home Loan Scheme

Jan O'Sullivan

725. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if there will be no delay in approving Rebuilding Ireland home loan applications due to funding shortages for the scheme in view of his clarification that councils can continue to accept and process applications for the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12333/19]

Local Government Reform

Jan O'Sullivan

731. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when details of the powers and functions to be assigned to directly elected mayors will be published; if it will be ensured there is adequate time and information for the public to consider these issues in advance of the proposed plebiscites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12434/19]

Brexit Supports

Jan O'Sullivan

30. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if further legislation will be required to address issues of aid to businesses that may be affected by Brexit; the state aid restrictions that would limit such support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11042/19]

Departmental Reviews

Jan O'Sullivan

42. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if regular reviews are carried out of the amount allocated for the purpose of supporting businesses through IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland; if she makes policy decisions on the way in which funds should be divided; if there is a different approach at different points in the economic cycle; the extent to which indigenous companies are prioritised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11043/19]

Brexit Supports

Jan O'Sullivan

53. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the amount that will be made available through agencies under the aegis of her Department to support businesses that will be affected if Brexit becomes a reality; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11041/19]

Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement

Jan O'Sullivan

58. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the progress in strengthening the powers and effectiveness of the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11044/19]

Long-Term Illness Scheme Eligibility

Jan O'Sullivan

160. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health his plans to update the long-term illness scheme to include other illnesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11377/19]

Flood Relief Schemes Status

Jan O'Sullivan

160. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the work planned to protect residents from flooding in the Corbally area of County Limerick; when work will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10584/19]

Flood Relief Schemes Status

Jan O'Sullivan

161. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the timeframe for the planning and construction of flood defences on the Abbey river in Limerick city; when works will commence; the projected timeframe for completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10587/19]

International Conventions

Jan O'Sullivan

213. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when he expects Ireland to ratify the Istanbul convention on domestic abuse; the legislative measures this will require; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10253/19]

International Conventions

Jan O'Sullivan

230. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to ratify the Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence, known as the Istanbul Convention, immediately following the enactment of the Criminal Law (Extraterritorial Jurisdiction) Bill 2018 which is currently before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice and Equality; if there are other remaining obstacles to ratifying the Convention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10472/19]

Social and Affordable Housing Data

Jan O'Sullivan

579. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of build housing projects that have proceeded to construction in 2016, 2017 and 2018; the number provided by local authorities and approved housing bodies in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10424/19]

Junior Cycle Reform

Jan O'Sullivan

88. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will include other subjects such as geography in the context of the review being carried out on the decision to remove history as a core subject in the junior cycle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10081/19]

IDA Ireland Funding

Jan O'Sullivan

118. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the value of IDA grants provided to a company (details supplied) in each of the years 2015 to 2018; the purpose for which the funding was allocated; the specific grant scheme headings under which direct funding was granted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10048/19]

Housing Data

Jan O'Sullivan

227. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the social housing provision targets by local authority for 2019, by the target number of direct local authority builds, approved housing body new build, Part V new build, departmentally funded void return, local authority acquisition and approved housing body acquisition; the leasing targets by RAS and HAP, in tabular form; the funding allocated to each delivery stream by local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10109/19]

Education Policy

Jan O'Sullivan

74. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the changes made in relation to the basic requirements of masters students who are affected by the rise in basic requirements for access to primary teaching courses can also be applied to mature access students in third level who are now required to complete their programme and achieve the higher requirements in one academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9790/19]

Bus Services

Jan O'Sullivan

191. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to introduce BusConnects to County Limerick; if so, the timescale in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9775/19]

Home Loan Scheme

Jan O'Sullivan

214. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will publish the credit policy in relation to applications for the Rebuilding Ireland home loan fixed rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9773/19]

Schools Building Projects Data

Jan O'Sullivan

172. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of school building works planned or under construction in the mid-west region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9054/19]

Special Educational Needs Staff

Jan O'Sullivan

198. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 220 of 20 October 2018, if progress has been made in relation to allocating breastfeeding breaks for SNAs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9336/19]

Pharmaceutical Sector

Jan O'Sullivan

134. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he has received draft rules on temporary absence from an organisation (details supplied); if consideration will be given to the way in which these rules as drafted will affect qualified pharmaceutical assistants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8888/19]

Local Authority Housing

Jan O'Sullivan

38. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the details of new homes provided by local authorities in 2018 under the various categories of provision including build, lease, voids refurbishing and acquisition by local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8245/19]

Social and Affordable Housing

Jan O'Sullivan

62. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the plans to change the policy on offers of social housing to require a five year wait for a further offer if two are refused will be clarified; his views on whether some flexibility is required in circumstances in which there are valid reasons for offers being refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8243/19]

Local Authority Housing Data

Jan O'Sullivan

69. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of local authority dwellings that were refurbished in 2018 under the voids programme by local authority; if the funds originally allocated to each local authority were drawn down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8246/19]

Traveller Accommodation

Jan O'Sullivan

76. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to address fire safety for Travellers in circumstances in which fire safety regulation exemptions on temporary emergency sites exist and there is no time limit on such sites remaining as temporary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8244/19]

Defence Forces Properties

Jan O'Sullivan

122. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if construction works will commence in 2019 on the new gymnasia at Sarsfield Barracks, County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7942/19]

Passport Services

Jan O'Sullivan

130. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the estimated amount it would cost in a full year if two additional passport printing machines were purchased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7939/19]

Free Education Scheme

Jan O'Sullivan

224. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost in a full year if the book grant of €11 per pupil in primary schools was increased to €14 per pupil and from €24 to €30 per pupil in post-primary schools under the book grant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7941/19]

Schools Building Projects Status

Jan O'Sullivan

247. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress on the delivery of a new campus for a school (details supplied); when building will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8242/19]

Schools Building Projects Status

Jan O'Sullivan

251. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a decision will be made on an application for temporary accommodation by a school (details supplied); if the decision will be expedited in order to give time for the planning process to be completed in order that the classrooms which will be required for the 2019 to 2020 school year can be in place in time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8252/19]

Garda Equipment

Jan O'Sullivan

278. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount An Garda Síochána spent on purchasing new Garda mountain bikes in 2017 and 2018 and to date in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7944/19]

Garda Accommodation

Jan O'Sullivan

279. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount of funding allocated for the building programme of An Garda Síochána under the Capital Plan 2016 to 2021; the amount spent in each of the years 2016 to 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7945/19]

Credit Union Lending

Jan O'Sullivan

45. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance the progress being made in matching the capacity of credit unions to lend to small businesses with the needs of those businesses to obtain credit in the context of the proposal on lending to SMEs from the Irish League of Credit Unions in 2016 and the report on public banking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50416/18]

School Attendance Data

Jan O'Sullivan

94. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to address the matter of reduced timetables being used in schools to manage behaviour; the way in which the practice is monitored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7506/19]

School Attendance Data

Jan O'Sullivan

95. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review the practice of reduced timetables operating in schools and address the loophole in which children are marked present then sent home and therefore not reported to Tusla will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7507/19]

School Attendance Data

Jan O'Sullivan

96. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will insert a mandatory ethnic identifier in reporting by schools further to a review of the practice of reduced timetabling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7509/19]

Planning Guidelines

Jan O'Sullivan

272. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the new revised guidance for local authorities on one-off rural housing regulations will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7519/19]

Hospitals Building Programme

Jan O'Sullivan

130. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if the €50 million that has to be provided from the 2019 budget of his Department relating to the cost of the national children’s hospital will not delay a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7228/19]

Nuclear Waste

Jan O'Sullivan

585. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to proposals to consider the establishment of a geological disposal facility and-or nuclear waste disposal facility in the Newry, Mourne and Down area; if he has been notified and consulted by the UK authorities on this matter of concern to Border communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6972/19]

Community Services Programme

Jan O'Sullivan

687. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if a review of the community services programme is taking place; when the review will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6330/19]

UN Funding

Jan O'Sullivan

63. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to provide funding in 2019 to the United Nations Population Fund supplies (details supplied) in view of the global contraceptive funding gap, Ireland's commitment to the 2030 agenda and the sustainable development goal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5821/19]

UN Funding

Jan O'Sullivan

64. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the amount he plans to allocate in core funding to the United Nations Population Fund in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5822/19]

Litter Pollution

Jan O'Sullivan

170. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to allocate additional funding to Limerick City and County Council to tackle litter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5818/19]

Departmental Websites

Jan O'Sullivan

205. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to publish circulars issued on the website circulars.gov.ie; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5828/19]

Citizenship Status

Jan O'Sullivan

265. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to change the process by which British citizens who are married to Irish citizens and living and working here for a number of years have to go through the full citizenship process in order to obtain an Irish passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5063/19]