Parliamentary questions

Small and Medium Enterprises Supports

Frank O'Rourke

360. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the specific actions that will be taken to assist the SME sector to prepare for Brexit, in particular food companies such as those based in County Kildare, following the publication of the national development plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9389/18]

Hospital Services

Frank O'Rourke

401. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the timeframe for the provision of an endoscopy suite at Naas hospital following the commitment in the National Development Plan 2018-2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9391/18]

Medical Aids and Appliances Provision

Frank O'Rourke

509. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the status of the roll-out to children and young persons of the new diabetes management device freestyle libre; the age limit implied by the term young adult; if a decision has been reached on extending freestyle libre to all persons with type 1 diabetes and not just children and young persons; if it will be extended to users of insulin pumps and not confined solely to persons on multiple daily injections; if it will be included for reimbursement in the LTI scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10055/18]

Child Protection Services Provision

Frank O'Rourke

34. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the procedures in place for children or teenagers at immediate risk; if there is an emergency service plan in place that entails the necessary professional services within the HSE, Tusla and her Department liaising for immediate intervention in urgent situations in which high risk has been established; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8979/18]

Motor Tax

Frank O'Rourke

178. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to review the motor tax payment system (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9102/18]

Tús Programme

Frank O'Rourke

60. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the expansion of Tús and community employment schemes to adapt employment programmes to the changing circumstances and the needs of jobseekers (details supplied) are due to come into effect; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8426/18]

Hospital Appointments Status

Frank O'Rourke

388. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment at the Linn Dara CAMHS clinic, Dublin 24; the criteria for referral to the clinic; if a psychological assessment needs to be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8591/18]

Rail Services

Frank O'Rourke

74. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an assessment of the need for increased capacity on a number of rail services to Dublin from the County Kildare commuter belt will be carried out, specifically on the Kildare line via Hazelhatch, the Maynooth line and the Kilcock line in view of the fact that services are at full capacity and unable to match the needs of an increasing volume of persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7629/18]

Park and Ride Facilities

Frank O'Rourke

82. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to increase capacity in the park and ride facilities in the commuter belt regions of north County Kildare (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7610/18]

Insurance Coverage

Frank O'Rourke

117. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Finance if an anomaly whereby insurance companies are refusing to offer flood insurance for houses not located in known flood zones and with no history of flooding will be examined (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6849/18]

Medicinal Products Reimbursement

Frank O'Rourke

443. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if the provision of Versatis patches on the general medical card scheme will be restored for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7349/18]

Hospital Waiting Lists Action Plans

Frank O'Rourke

70. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if there is a targeted investment programme in place for spinal surgery services at Tallaght Hospital to deal with the waiting lists; if provision will be made for an additional surgical operating theatre in view of the fact that at present Tallaght Hospital is renting theatre space from a private hospital to deal with deteriorating waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6104/18]

Primary Care Centres Administration

Frank O'Rourke

199. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the full range of supports and services that will be put in place for persons attending a centre (details supplied) in County Kildare once the new primary care centre opens in Kilcock; if those supports and services will be transferred over to the new primary care centre; if existing services will be maintained into the future; if families have been notified in regard to proposed changes in supports and services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6538/18]

Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund

Frank O'Rourke

307. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the timeframe for phase two of the local infrastructure housing activation fund to be delivered; when the application process will be open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6224/18]

Garda Strength

Frank O'Rourke

80. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí allocated to each Garda station in the Kildare north district in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018; the Garda rank allocation within each Garda station in the Kildare north district, for example, the number of gardaí, sergeants, detectives, superintendents and chief superintendents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5416/18]

School Accommodation Provision

Frank O'Rourke

25. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an application for additional school accommodation for a primary school (details supplied) in County Kildare will be approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4824/18]

Driver Licences

Frank O'Rourke

544. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a person (details supplied) who is an asylum seeker is entitled to apply for a driving licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4292/18]

Hospital Appointments Status

Frank O'Rourke

120. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect to receive an appointment at the Royal Victoria eye and ear hospital for a corrective eye procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3602/18]

Citizenship Status

Frank O'Rourke

153. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a decision has been reached on the legal status of a child born here to a mother with subsidiary protection (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3009/18]

Home Help Service Provision

Frank O'Rourke

116. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if a review will be conducted of the allocation of home help hours to a person (details supplied) with a view to reinstating the additional three hours awarded after a hospital stay in September 2017, bringing the total hours to five per week; the way in which the approved agency failed to provide a replacement on the occasion on which the home help failed to attend from 15 November 2017; the reason the home help manager was unaware of this fact until the matter was raised via a representation in December 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2216/18]

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Frank O'Rourke

157. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the national broadband plan formal procurement process has now been completed in respect of roll-out to a location (details supplied); the timeframe within which a broadband upgrade will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter [2220/18]

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Frank O'Rourke

158. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the national broadband plan formal procurement process has now been completed in respect of roll-out to a location (details supplied); the timeframe within which a broadband upgrade will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2221/18]

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Frank O'Rourke

159. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the national broadband plan formal procurement process has now been completed in respect of roll-out to a location (details supplied); the timeframe within which a broadband upgrade will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2222/18]

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Frank O'Rourke

160. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the national broadband plan formal procurement process has now been completed in respect of roll-out to locations (details supplied); the timeframe within which a broadband upgrade will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2223/18]

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Frank O'Rourke

161. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the national broadband plan formal procurement process has now been completed in respect of roll-out to locations (details supplied); the timeframe within which a broadband upgrade will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2224/18]

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Frank O'Rourke

162. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the national broadband plan formal procurement process has now been completed in respect of roll-out to locations (details supplied); the timeframe within which a broadband upgrade will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2225/18]

Hospital Services

Frank O'Rourke

751. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if he will review the recently introduced charge of €80 imposed by a number of hospital groups on persons with haemochromatosis who require venesection with a view to reversing the decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54748/17]

Agrifood Sector

Frank O'Rourke

275. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if consideration will be given to designating Naas, County Kildare and surrounding areas as a food hub, in view of the strong agri-food sector in the locality; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53536/17]

Agrifood Sector

Frank O'Rourke

498. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the criteria used for selection of Fermoy, Cork, as the centre for the new National Food Innovation Hub as opposed to other locations; the strategies subsequently in place to promote the agrifood business nationwide with specific reference to strategies for north County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50434/17]

Energy Resources

Frank O'Rourke

518. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the policy regarding Ireland's dependency on oil; the contingency plans in place in the event of energy supply disruptions; the actions or measures being taken to reduce Ireland's dependency on oil, specifically in terms of energy provision to publicly funded buildings, such as educational institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50125/17]

Disability Services Provision

Frank O'Rourke

150. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if he will review the composition of the parental steering group for progressing disability services in County Kildare with a view to including parental representatives from north County Kildare in view of the fact that the group comprises representatives from mid- and south County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49525/17]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Frank O'Rourke

206. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to an anomaly in the SUSI grant scheme whereby it does not allow for a change of personal circumstances for the duration of a course of study (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48957/17]

Rail Passengers Data

Frank O'Rourke

508. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of rail commuters using the Kildare line at Hazelhatch, Celbridge, Naas and Sallins in 2017 compared to the number of commuters using the same line in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48830/17]

Sports Capital Programme Administration

Frank O'Rourke

512. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the sports capital grant allocations for 2018 for County Kildare will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48942/17]

School Management

Frank O'Rourke

81. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Skills if additional moneys will be made available for restoration of posts of responsibility within schools by September 2018 in view of the fact that the amount allocated in budget 2017 does not allow for the restoration of posts to pre-moratorium levels (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47424/17]

Long-Term Illness Scheme Applications

Frank O'Rourke

161. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health when the review in respect of the reimbursement of long-term illness medical expenses for a person (details supplied) will be completed; if there is an onus on a medical clinician, pharmacist or other to advise a person regarding their entitlement to avail of the LTI scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45448/17]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Frank O'Rourke

249. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will grant a second preschool year under the ECCE scheme for a person (details supplied) who is only marginally over the age limit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45447/17]

Disability Act Employment Targets

Frank O'Rourke

116. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the quotas for employment of persons with a disability within the Civil Service; if these targets are met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44605/17]

Garda Deployment

Frank O'Rourke

40. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the additional gardaí and resources committed to north County Kildare will be deployed with particular reference to areas that have been experiencing increasing incidences of anti-social behaviour and disturbances (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44137/17]

Subsidiary Protection

Frank O'Rourke

110. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a decision has been reached on the legal status of a person (details supplied) in view of the conclusions of the legal proceedings surrounding subsidiary protection residence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40846/17]

Subsidiary Protection

Frank O'Rourke

477. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to the conclusions of the legal proceedings surrounding subsidiary protection residence if a decision has been reached on the legal status of a person (details supplied) of a child born here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37582/17]

Legislative Reviews

Frank O'Rourke

77. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to review the Employment Permits Act, whereby an advertisement relating to the proposed employment has to run in a national newspaper for three days as required under regulations 31(1) and 44 (1) of the employment permits regulations 2017 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36131/17]

Medical Card Drugs Availability

Frank O'Rourke

999. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health his plans for the inclusion of Melatonin as a prescription drug under the general medical card scheme, specifically in instances where this drug is prescribed to children in receipt of a domiciliary care allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36091/17]

Disability Support Services Provision

Frank O'Rourke

1047. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health when full-time residential care will be approved for a person (details supplied);; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36255/17]

Nursing Staff Data

Frank O'Rourke

372. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the situation in relation to the approximately 240 public health nurses on the transfer panel since its establishment in 2014 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32140/17]

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Frank O'Rourke

657. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when a person (details supplied) can expect to receive a broadband upgrade in view of the fact that the quality of service and the current connections speeds are not fit for purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33051/17]

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Frank O'Rourke

658. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when a person (details supplied) can expect to receive a broadband upgrade, in view of the fact that the quality of service and the current connections speeds are not fit for purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33052/17]

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Frank O'Rourke

659. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when a person (details supplied) can expect to receive a broadband upgrade in view of the fact that the quality of service and the current connections speeds are not fit for purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33053/17]

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Frank O'Rourke

660. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when persons (details supplied) can expect to receive a broadband upgrade, in view of the fact that the quality of service and the current connections speeds are not fit for purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33054/17]

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Frank O'Rourke

661. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when persons (details supplied) can expect to receive a broadband upgrade, in view of the fact that the quality of service and the current connections speeds are not fit for purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33055/17]