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]

Drugs Payment Scheme

Jan O'Sullivan

416. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health his plans to expedite the availability of new medicines to persons with multiple sclerosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46985/18]

Office of Public Works Properties

Jan O'Sullivan

58. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the rationale for the OPW’s decision to dispose of sites zoned for development on Church Avenue, Dublin 9, and Herbert Lane, Dublin 2, instead of reserving them for affordable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46144/18]

Work Permits Eligibility

Jan O'Sullivan

105. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if persons who have been granted temporary permission to remain here for four months on stamp 1 conditions which enable an employer to apply for an employment permit on their behalf are eligible to apply for this employment permit despite the fact that they are employed in a category that is deemed ineligible for employment permits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45976/18]

Garda Stations

Jan O'Sullivan

223. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a building (details supplied) is owned by the Office of Public Works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45286/18]

State Properties

Jan O'Sullivan

235. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a building (details supplied) is owned by the Office of Public Works; if not, the person or body that owns the building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45310/18]

Schools Building Projects Status

Jan O'Sullivan

348. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills when building works will commence for a new school building (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45585/18]

Statutory Retirement Age

Jan O'Sullivan

1116. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a public servant who is a clerical officer at level 16 and who joined the service in 2001 can continue to work after 65 years of age; if so, if he or she will continue on the same income or if that income will be reduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45565/18]

School Transport Eligibility

Jan O'Sullivan

146. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there is a provision for awarding the remote area grant to a person who has been refused same on the basis that there is a school closer to their residence under the patronage of their preferred ethos in cases in which they were unable to secure a place in the closer school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44341/18]

Citizenship Applications

Jan O'Sullivan

203. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when a decision will be made in relation to an application for citizenship by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44171/18]

Apprenticeship Data

Jan O'Sullivan

286. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department has data on the uptake of apprenticeships and traineeships from young Travellers in the context of a commitment given by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection to the effect that Travellers under 25 years of age would receive good quality offers of continuing education, apprenticeships, traineeships or employment in the context of the youth guarantee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43713/18]

Traveller Education

Jan O'Sullivan

288. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills to set out the response from third-level institutions to the bursary scheme to increase the number of Travellers participating in third-level education; the number who were offered places through the scheme in 2016 and 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43715/18]

Traveller Education

Jan O'Sullivan

289. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills when he will conduct a full audit of the transition and retention outcomes of Traveller children in post-primary education; his plans in place to improve retention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43717/18]

Traveller Education

Jan O'Sullivan

294. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will publish the review that took place in 2017 of the remaining recommendations of the Traveller education strategy 2006 in addition to the education recommendations in the national Traveller and Roman inclusion strategy, NTRIS; the actions proposed following the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43754/18]

Local Government Reform

Jan O'Sullivan

688. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the amalgamated Limerick City and County Council is regarded as an administrative county or an administrative county borough for the purposes of Article 12.4.2°ii of Bunreacht na hÉireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43419/18]

Enterprise Support Schemes

Jan O'Sullivan

6. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the extra support available to Irish businesses to trade online; her plans to ensure this support is available to small, as well as larger, retail businesses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42697/18]

Retail Sector

Jan O'Sullivan

9. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if her attention has been drawn to reports from retail businesses that banks, which would previously have extended their overdraft facilities at times of the year when such businesses need extra credit owing to cashflow patterns, are now insisting that they take out loans; if she will engage with the banking sector to represent the interests of businesses rather than the interests of banks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42700/18]

National Development Plan Funding

Jan O'Sullivan

13. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the way in which the disruptive technologies innovation fund can be applied for; when grants will be awarded under the fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42699/18]

Gender Balance

Jan O'Sullivan

14. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the guidance given to agencies under her Department's remit to ensure there is more gender balance in terms of the leadership of the companies and research projects that are funded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42698/18]

Overseas Development Aid

Jan O'Sullivan

135. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when the review of the White Paper on Ireland's international development policy will be completed and published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42542/18]

State Examinations Commission

Jan O'Sullivan

233. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of qualified teachers versus the number of third level students who do not have recognised teaching qualifications and who were engaged by the State Examinations Commission to mark State examination papers in each specific subject area for the junior certificate and leaving certificate examinations in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42320/18]

Leave to Remain

Jan O'Sullivan

280. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a dispute between the IPO and GNIB is preventing registration of a number of persons granted permission to remain under the International Protection Act 2015; the steps he will take to ensure this matter is resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41780/18]

Hospital Procedures

Jan O'Sullivan

362. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the number of hip and knee replacements carried out at Croom Hospital, County Limerick, in each of the years 2016 to 2017 and to date in 2018; the number of persons awaiting hip and knee replacement operations at the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41836/18]

Services for People with Disabilities

Jan O'Sullivan

121. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if funding will be provided for an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41634/18]

Work Permits Data

Jan O'Sullivan

200. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of permits that will be issued under the proposed meat permit pilot scheme to address labour shortages in the meat processing sector; the nationalities of the employees to receive permits from this scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41034/18]

Work Permits Data

Jan O'Sullivan

201. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if there is a list of the employers involved in the proposed pilot scheme to address labour shortages in the meat processing sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41038/18]

Work Permits Data

Jan O'Sullivan

202. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if and when copies will be provided of the written statements from employers involved in the proposed pilot scheme containing the information outlined in section 3(1) of the Terms of Employment (Information) Act 1994; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41039/18]

Work Permits Data

Jan O'Sullivan

203. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if she has met the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to discuss the matter of the proposed pilot scheme to address labour shortages in the meat processing sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41042/18]

Emergency Departments Services

Jan O'Sullivan

289. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if the construction and staffing of the 60-bed unit at University Hospital Limerick (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40878/18]

Health Services Staff

Jan O'Sullivan

374. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if funding for an additional community based diabetes podiatrist in County Limerick will be made available in the upcoming budget; the reason Limerick had the second largest year-on-year increase in the number of persons with diabetes hospitalised for foot ulceration treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41187/18]

Meat Processing Plants

Jan O'Sullivan

383. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if information has been received or research completed on the meat-processing pilot scheme proposed by the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41043/18]

Meat Processing Plants

Jan O'Sullivan

409. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if collaboration has taken place with the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection as mentioned on 14 May 2018 with regard to the pilot scheme addressing labour shortages in the meat-processing sector proposed by the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation; the details of meetings that have taken place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41041/18]

Tax Credits

Jan O'Sullivan

76. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance if the Revenue Commissioners will include toll booth operators in the list of occupations permitted to claim flat-rate employment expenses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40371/18]

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Jan O'Sullivan

190. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when broadband services will be provided to certain locations (details supplied) under the national broadband plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40435/18]

Illness Benefit Applications

Jan O'Sullivan

229. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to resolve the dispute between her Department and general practitioners over the recently introduced revised forms regarding illness benefit applications; if mediation has been offered to address the issue; if discussions are being held with an organisation (details supplied) on the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40373/18]

Land Development Agency

Jan O'Sullivan

257. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the Land Development Agency plans to develop State-owned land, particularly Defence Forces property at Gormanstown Camp, County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40483/18]

Human Rights

Jan O'Sullivan

110. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the implementation of the recommendations of the Myanmar fact-finding mission; his views on UNSC referring Myanmar to the International Criminal Court; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40226/18]

Pharmacy Regulations

Jan O'Sullivan

178. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of the group representing pharmacy assistants arising from new rules drafted under section 30 of the Pharmacy Act 2007; the way in which he plans to address those concerns; if he will sign the statutory instrument giving legal effect to the draft rules; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40196/18]

Child and Family Agency

Jan O'Sullivan

251. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if an element of Tusla is moving its operation to a location (details supplied); the number of staff who will be relocated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40195/18]

Visa Applications

Jan O'Sullivan

144. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a Filipino national married to an Irish citizen resident here on a stamp 4 needs a Schengen visa to travel to Italy on holiday; if so, the application process for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39697/18]

Maternity Protection Entitlements

Jan O'Sullivan

220. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if circular 0060/2018 on breastfeeding breaks for registered teachers in recognised primary and post-primary schools apply to special needs assistants, SNAs; if not, his plans to extend the same provision to SNAs working in recognised primary and post-primary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39649/18]

Asylum Applications

Jan O'Sullivan

274. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when a person (details supplied) will receive correspondence confirming the person's permission to remain here in view of the fact that the person has been granted permission to remain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39689/18]

National Dementia Strategy Implementation

Jan O'Sullivan

392. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase supports and investment for persons living with dementia in budget 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39698/18]

Public Procurement Contracts

Jan O'Sullivan

4. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his views on comments by a public official on the cost of public procurement in the context of a housing project in Dublin which will cost nearly €500,000 per unit; if this will be examined as a matter of urgency in order that publicly-owned lands can be developed for social and affordable housing as speedily and cost-effectively as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39228/18]

Credit Union Lending

Jan O'Sullivan

7. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the progress that has been made on ensuring that a funding vehicle for credit unions to invest in social housing provision as committed to under Rebuilding Ireland is compatible with Central Bank of Ireland regulations in view of the fact that such a vehicle will have to be regulated by the Central Bank; if an assurance can be given that such a vehicle will be established that will facilitate credit union finance being made available to approved housing bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39066/18]

National Development Plan Funding

Jan O'Sullivan

33. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the guidelines for indigenous businesses and enterprises to access the €2 billion urban regeneration and development fund and the €1 billion rural regeneration and development fund that he recently announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30458/18]

Local Authority Housing Data

Jan O'Sullivan

40. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the average length of time taken for each local authority to reallocate homes under their remit after they have been vacated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38906/18]

Vacant Properties

Jan O'Sullivan

46. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of privately owned homes brought back into use as a result of the vacant homes strategy of Rebuilding Ireland; his plans to amend the incentives and penalties to encourage more owners of empty dwellings to provide them for housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38904/18]

Home Loan Scheme

Jan O'Sullivan

49. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of approvals granted under the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme; his plans to modify the deposit requirement particularly in circumstances in which applicants can show that they have been paying high rents for an appropriate period of time prior to their application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38905/18]

Hospital Waiting Lists Data

Jan O'Sullivan

139. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the number of patients awaiting cataract surgery in County Limerick; the average waiting times for such procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39190/18]

Hospital Waiting Lists Data

Jan O'Sullivan

140. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the number of patients awaiting colonoscopy and gastroscopy examinations, respectively, in County Louth; the average waiting times for such procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39191/18]