Parliamentary questions

Social and Affordable Housing

Aindrias Moynihan

12. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the initiatives planned in 2018 to increase the number of homes available for persons saving for a housing deposit that wish to purchase a home but that are presently unable to afford to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52264/17]

School Transport Review

Aindrias Moynihan

62. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the implementation of the school transport review; the actions he will take in implementing the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51987/17]

Schools Building Contractors

Aindrias Moynihan

114. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills when his Department was notified that the preferred contractor was withdrawing its tender for a new school (details supplied); if a reason for withdrawing was given; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52118/17]

Schools Building Contractors

Aindrias Moynihan

115. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if tenders supplied for construction of a new school (details supplied) in 2016 and 2017 now remain valid; if not, when a new tendering process will commence; the length of time a new tender process will take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52119/17]

Garda Civilian Staff

Aindrias Moynihan

93. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if some of the 500 civilian staff who will support the redeployment of gardaí to front-line policing in 2018 will be prioritised for rural areas in which Garda stations have been closed in view of the commitment to same in the expenditure report 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51709/17]

Garda Station Refurbishment

Aindrias Moynihan

107. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress of the proposed new Macroom Garda station; when the project will go to tender; the timeframe for construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51708/17]

Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility

Aindrias Moynihan

39. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the way in which the group of persons which will become eligible for the telephone allowance in the period of time when the fuel allowance is not payable will receive their entitlement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50590/17]

JobPath Programme

Aindrias Moynihan

41. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to introduce flexibility into the JobPath programme whereby JobPath co-ordinators may have leeway when dealing with persons who have a guarantee of employment in the near future or who may be employed on a seasonal or part-time basis to excuse them from JobPath while maintaining their benefits; the number of persons on the JobPath programme who have employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50552/17]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Aindrias Moynihan

50. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the necessary capacity exists within the preschool sector in 2018 to provide a space for all those that want a place in County Cork in view of the fact that the entitlement to the early childhood care and education scheme will increase from 61 to 76 weeks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50191/17]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Aindrias Moynihan

62. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the demand for places under the early childhood care and education scheme in County Cork; the way in which deficits will be addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50192/17]

Nursing Home Fees

Aindrias Moynihan

123. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Finance the tax relief available for persons paying nursing home fees either for themselves or for a family member; and if such relief is available in cases in which a person has the fair deal scheme. [50345/17]

Disability Services Funding

Aindrias Moynihan

418. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the funding allocated to a group (details supplied) for 2015, 2016 and 2017; if all of these funds have been drawn down; if additional funding was requested; if so, the amount that was requested, approved and drawn down; the budget that is planned for 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50344/17]

Driver Licences

Aindrias Moynihan

564. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if motorcyclists renewing their full licences are required to provide an initial basic training certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50514/17]

Driver Licences

Aindrias Moynihan

565. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if motorcyclists that hold licences and are progressed to licences for larger bikes are required to do the training course and provide an initial basic training certificate as they move through each stage to Class A full licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50515/17]

Local Authority Housing Data

Aindrias Moynihan

720. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of approved housing applicants; the number of these applicants accessing and using the choice-based letting system for each local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50343/17]

Enterprise Support Services Provision

Aindrias Moynihan

27. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the supports available for small and medium enterprises in view of the fact that the 2018 to 2020 expenditure report states the Government, through budget 2018, will respond to the immediate and longer term impact of Brexit across the enterprise agency supported client base; her plans for new supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49614/17]

Job Creation Targets

Aindrias Moynihan

35. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the envisioned breakdown of the 35,000 planned new jobs by those coming from foreign direct investment, indigenous enterprises and region in view of the fact that the 2018 to 2020 expenditure report states the Government plans to grow the number of jobs supported by the various enterprise agencies from 435,000 to 470,000 in 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49615/17]

Schools Building Projects Status

Aindrias Moynihan

104. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the expected commencement date for the construction of a school (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49743/17]

National Treatment Purchase Fund Data

Aindrias Moynihan

160. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the expenditure of the National Treatment Purchase Fund, NTPF, since its establishment; the expenditure on patient care; the administration costs; the number of persons who have been treated via the NTPF; the ten largest service providers engaged in terms of the number of persons treated; the ten largest service providers in terms of financial costs; the individual costs for each of these ten service providers; the five largest service providers in terms of the number of persons treated and the financial costs, respectively, in each of the years since the NTPF was established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49752/17]

Road Projects Status

Aindrias Moynihan

36. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the details of the works to be carried out on the N22 Ballyvourney to Macroom road in view of the fact that the expenditure allocations 2018 to 2020 document states that the land transport programme for 2018 will include planning, design, land acquisition and advance works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49439/17]

Tourism Policy

Aindrias Moynihan

71. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider development of a signature brand for historic and cultural tourism, along the lines of Ireland’s Ancient East, which would cover the whole country; his views on such a scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49438/17]

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Aindrias Moynihan

43. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the date on which finalisation of the national broadband plan will be complete in view of the fact that the expenditure allocations 2018 to 2020 document allows €15 million for finalisation of the procurement process for the State-led intervention for the plan; the timeframe for the complete implementation of the national broadband plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49085/17]

Energy Efficiency

Aindrias Moynihan

83. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the way in which the funding of the energy efficiency programmes was spent between residential, commercial and public sector buildings since 2011 in view of the fact that the expenditure allocations for 2018 to 2020 document allows €35 million to expand the energy efficiency programmes; his plans to change the breakdown in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49086/17]

Schools Building Projects Status

Aindrias Moynihan

197. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the tender for construction of a school (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48853/17]

Special Areas of Conservation Management

Aindrias Moynihan

75. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on the recent ESB actions on the walkways and hedgerows of the Gearagh special area of conservation; the follow up actions she plans to ensure similar actions do not reoccur in this or other special areas of conservation; the plans that are in place to reinstate the walkways; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47892/17]

Commemorative Events

Aindrias Moynihan

79. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if a stream of funding is being made available to enable centenary events at a local level around the country in view of the fact that in the lifetime of budget 2018 the centenaries of the first events in the War of Independence will occur; her plans to consider such a scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47891/17]

Gaeltacht Policy

Aindrias Moynihan

244. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the promotional activity which is used to promote funding available to Gaeltacht groups; if she will review the format of promoting the funding available to Gaeltacht groups to ensure wider awareness of the availability of funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47894/17]

Special Areas of Conservation

Aindrias Moynihan

135. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on the recent ESB actions on the walkways and hedgerows of the Gearagh special area of conservation, SAC; the follow up actions she plans to ensure similar actions do not reoccur in this or another SAC; her plans to reinstate the walkways; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47536/17]

Special Areas of Conservation

Aindrias Moynihan

136. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if funding will be made available to reinstate the walkways in the Gearagh special area of conservation, SAC, following the recent ESB actions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47537/17]

Forestry Sector

Aindrias Moynihan

61. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to support wholesale tree nurseries that experienced damage from Storm Ophelia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46394/17]

Septic Tank Grants

Aindrias Moynihan

52. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the low take-up of the domestic septic tank grant; and his plans for broadening the qualifying criteria for the grant. [45232/17]

School Accommodation

Aindrias Moynihan

85. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the need for a new school (details supplied) in County Cork; if he will advance plans for the school; if he will include the new school in the capital plan mid term review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44930/17]

Road Projects Expenditure

Aindrias Moynihan

243. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding that has been allocated in budget 2018 for the construction of the N22 Macroom bypass. [45174/17]

Garda Operations

Aindrias Moynihan

22. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí in each of the Cork divisions who had been trained and in a position to test for drug driving when the new test was introduced in April 2017; the number of gardaí available at the end of April, May, June, July, August and September 2017; the number of tests that have been carried out in each Cork division; and the number of positive results identified by those dates. [44192/17]

Garda Station Refurbishment

Aindrias Moynihan

51. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the planned new Garda station for Macroom is advancing; the milestones that have been achieved over the past year; when a new station will be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44191/17]

Oideachas Gaeltachta

Aindrias Moynihan

68. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aindrias Moynihan den Aire Leanaí agus Gnóthaí Óige cén dul chun cinn atá déanta maidir le tacaíocht a chur ar fáil do na Naíonraí le cigireacht trí mheán na Gaeilge, de réir mar atá luaite sa Pholasaí don Oideachas Gaeltachta, 2017-2022. [43765/17]

Road Projects

Aindrias Moynihan

481. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the positions of safety officer and safety adviser have been filled by Cork County Council in relation to the clearance of the route for the proposed N22, Macroom bypass presently being undertaken by a contractor for Cork County Council; the names of the persons appointed to those positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43808/17]

Local Authority Boundaries

Aindrias Moynihan

605. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will consider the views of the Cork public regarding proposed changes in the boundaries of Cork city and county councils. [43795/17]

Schools Administration

Aindrias Moynihan

126. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to support schools that wish to dispose of unwanted chemicals or dangerous materials from school labs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42810/17]

Folúntais ar Bhoird Stáit

Aindrias Moynihan

175. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aindrias Moynihan den Aire Cumarsáide, Gníomhaithe ar son na hAeráide agus Comhshaoil cé mhéad duine atá ar Bhord TG4, an mó folúntas atá ann faoi láthair, agus cad é an plean agus an clár ama atá ag an Aire chun aon fholúntas a líonadh. [42005/17]

HSE Waiting Lists

Aindrias Moynihan

74. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to reduce waiting times for persons waiting for ophthalmology services in Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40898/17]

Maternity Services

Aindrias Moynihan

79. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to reduce waiting times for persons waiting for gynaecological services in Cork University Maternity Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40897/17]

Scéim na mBóithre Áise

Aindrias Moynihan

52. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aindrias Moynihan den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén dul chun cinn atá déanta aici maidir le scéim na mBóithre Áise a athoscailt chun feabhas a chur ar bhóithre sa Ghaeltacht. [40679/17]

Public Interest Directors

Aindrias Moynihan

210. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Finance the number of the current board members of a bank (details supplied) who have been appointed to represent the public interest; and the full extent of reporting between such board members and the Government and-or its representatives. [36667/17]

Public Interest Directors

Aindrias Moynihan

211. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Finance the number of the current board members of a bank (details supplied) who have been appointed to represent the public interest; and the full extent of reporting between such board members and the Government and-or its representatives. [36668/17]

Hospital Appointments Status

Aindrias Moynihan

1104. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment to see a consultant. [36518/17]

TAMS Funding

Aindrias Moynihan

1214. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if cattle underpasses can be grant aided in the interest of road safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36434/17]

Broadband Service Provision

Aindrias Moynihan

1315. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when broadband will be provided at a location (details supplied). [36607/17]

Water and Sewerage Schemes Status

Aindrias Moynihan

13. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if funding in addition to the NTICI measure 2 funds already committed to will be provided to Cork County Council in order to advance the Crossbarry sewerage scheme. [33119/17]

Tax Yield

Aindrias Moynihan

171. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Finance the amount of inheritance tax collected in each of the past five years for each of the bands A, B and C, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34202/17]