28. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the possibility of increasing the financial thresholds for carer’s allowance will be investigated; if the introduction of discretionary assessments in cases of extreme extenuating circumstances, similar to the discretionary system utilised in the medical card application process, will be examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15644/19]
192. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the position regarding compensation packages for holders of eel fishing licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15514/19]
17. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the level of engagement between her Department and the community-managed not-for-profit childcare service providers, with specific reference to negotiations for funding agreements and funding rules in the context of recent compliance audits by Pobal (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14494/19]
232. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if consideration has been given to a buy-out scheme for holders of salmon fishery licences ; if so, the position regarding same; if an option is available to offer licences for sale; if a compensation package will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14418/19]
139. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the possibility of including Lámh (details supplied) within the school curriculum will be investigated; the steps being taken to raise awareness and participation levels in the use of the important non-verbal communicative technique; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14466/19]
61. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the timeline for the commencement of works on the ground under the national broadband plan; the measures contained within same to ensure rapid roll-out of broadband services for rural areas, communities and regional towns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14217/19]
93. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the review and cost-benefit analysis of the regional veterinary laboratory in County Kilkenny that serves the farmers of the entire south east region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13918/19]
78. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to make beef farming a viable option for farmers in the context of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13919/19]
203. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the status of the review of the system for setting prices under the nursing home support scheme; if he is satisfied that the process has been conducted efficiently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12575/19]
199. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied that there are adequate bus services in place in counties Carlow and Kilkenny to assist parents in transporting children and adult children with special needs to adult day services; if the possibility of a provision of further funding for additional bus capacity in areas in which there is a waiting list of persons seeking to avail of existing bus transport to adult day services, which is at maximum capacity, will be investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12540/19]
154. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will investigate the possibility of introducing set eating times for children in primary schools during lunch break; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12685/19]
153. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of negotiations with representatives of school secretaries regarding the two-tier pay system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12684/19]
152. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether the working conditions and pay of school secretaries should reflect the work they do in view of the role they play in the running of schools; his plans to support the improvement of working conditions for school secretaries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12683/19]
151. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills when talks will commence with representatives of school secretaries as recommended by the Workplace Relations Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12682/19]
91. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health his plans to implement 24-7 cardiac care services for those living in the south east; his views on whether there is an equal provision of cardiac services in the region in comparison with the rest of the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12015/19]
145. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is satisfied that the current system for seeking an appeal or review of special education teaching support hours is offering schools, principals and boards of management an adequate forum from which they can communicate concerns, seek meaningful reviews or appeals and engage with his Department on behalf of students with complex needs who may require additional supports; if he is further satisfied that the system affords an appropriate level of credence to the principals who care for vulnerable children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11810/19]
144. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the allocation of special education teaching support for a school (details supplied) will be reassessed on the grounds of exceptional circumstances in order to provide the staff with the best possible platform to adequately cater for a number of students; the reason the allocation of special education teaching support hours for the school has not been increased but remains the same despite an increase in the number of children who require such specialised support since the introduction of the new allocation of hours for pupils with additional needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11809/19]
34. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the additional jobs created in 2018 in the south-east region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11234/19]
264. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the average waiting time for a practical driver test in counties Carlow and Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11010/19]
209. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health if he will direct the Health Service Executive to provide a status report on the progress of the proposed local health centre planned at a location (details supplied); the position regarding the overall security of the timeline of the project in the view of the overspend on the national children’s hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11185/19]
208. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health if he will direct the Health Service Executive to provide a status report of plans for refurbishment, renovation and new building works at a hospital (details supplied) as committed to in the capital plan; the position regarding the overall security of the timeline of the project in view of the overspend on the national children’s hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11184/19]
137. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps he has taken to ratify the Lanzarote Convention; the timeline for the ratification of the convention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11087/19]
507. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children under the childcare support scheme that are serviced by not-for-profit, community managed and operated childcare providers by county; the number of not-for-profit, community managed and operated childcare providers which are operational in designated disadvantaged community areas by county; the number of not-for-profit, community managed and operated childcare providers operating quality childcare or early learning services which are in receipt of support by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10794/19]
506. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding the matter being categorised as a national crisis by many not-for-profit, community managed and operated childcare providers following recent compliance audits by Pobal (details supplied); if she has satisfied herself that the sector will not sustain mass closures and a reduction in services; the steps she has taken to avert such a situation and ensure that these services and supports will remain available to disadvantaged parents and children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10793/19]
195. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application for an extension and associated building works by a school (details supplied) to the school capitals appraisal section, planning and building unit; if his attention has been drawn to the need for an efficient decision to be returned in order that the school can apply for planning permission in advance of the next academic year when it will facilitate an extra class; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10545/19]
17. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Finance the measures taken to meet and engage with insurance companies regarding excessive premiums being charged to consumers particularly in counties Carlow and Kilkenny; if the possibility of opening up the insurance market to new providers in order to increase competitiveness in prices charged for motor insurance has been investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9764/19]
216. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if social welfare payments received by a tenant in respect of a child can be assessed as income for differential rents by a local authority (details supplied); if a national framework exists which governs local authorities to ensure consistency in this respect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9806/19]
211. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason for the three-month delay in sending the carer’s allowance application file of a person (details supplied) to the Social Welfare Appeals Office upon request in early November 2018; the average time it takes to forward carer's allowance application files from the date requested by the Social Welfare Appeals Office; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9905/19]
133. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the number of children on waiting lists for State-provided orthodontic care in counties Carlow and Kilkenny; the number that have been categorised IOTN 5 as having a high level of need for orthodontic treatment but have been subjected to a waiting time of 24 months; the number of orthodontists assigned to tackling general waiting lists in counties Carlow and Kilkenny; the number assigned to tackling the IOTN 5 waiting lists in counties Carlow and Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9907/19]
132. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health his plans to alleviate the waiting times being imposed on children and their parents when availing of State-provided orthodontic care, particularly those who have been categorised as having a high level of need for orthodontic treatment but have been subjected to a waiting time of 24 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9906/19]
121. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health if a decision has been made on the reimbursement of the drug Fasenra (benralizumab) by the HSE drugs leadership group; when he expects it to be made available to patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9861/19]
120. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the reimbursement status of the drug Fasenra (benralizumab); if it has been discussed by the HSE drugs leadership group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9860/19]
106. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9809/19]
54. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the steps being taken to ensure better pay and working conditions for members of the Defence Forces; the further steps being taken to ensure appropriate supports are available to both current and former members of the Defence Forces that may be experiencing financial difficulties; if he has satisfied himself that recruitment methods are sufficient; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9267/19]
195. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to extend the deadline by which beef suckler farmers must apply for the BEEP scheme beyond 22 February 2019 due to lack of awareness among farmers in respect of the scheme; the steps he has taken to ensure there is a sufficient level of awareness among beef suckler farmers regarding the deadline for receipt of applications for the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8668/19]
48. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the position regarding the commercial rates Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8458/19]
534. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if an independent review by independent marine economists will be commissioned to investigate the possibility of reopening of the rivers Nore and Suir for snap net salmon fishing and the potential for a heritage fisheries pilot scheme on the rivers Barrow, Nore and Suir; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8342/19]
533. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the 2014 snap net salmon fishing licences for the rivers Nore and Suir remain valid; if holders of these licences have an entitlement to fish should the rivers reopen for fishing of this nature in the near future; the process for the application and issuing of licences for snap net salmon fishing on the rivers Nore and Suir should the rivers reopen for fishing in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8339/19]
532. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the salmon stock levels on the rivers Barrow and Suir; the conservation limits of salmon on the rivers; the effect this information has on projecting stock levels on the rivers; the possible future date for the reopening the rivers for fishing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8338/19]
531. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the exact conservation limits for the River Nore; the exact number of salmon which were estimated to have entered the river in 2018; the projected number of salmon to enter the river in 2019; the way in which the numbers are trending as a result of the extensive information used to determine the number of salmon entering the system, in terms of numbers improving or declining and the rate; the estimated future date for the reopening the river for snap net fishing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8337/19]
477. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the possibility of increasing quality lairage capacity for calf exports in Cherbourg, France to satisfy increased demand in the market will be investigated; if he will direct his officials to engage with their relevant counterparts and partners at national and regional level in France to increase lairage capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8251/19]
58. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the steps she has taken to ensure that all family carers can avail of access to adequate support services for respite, individual support, training, networking, information and advocacy to ensure they do not lack training or confidence in their individual roles; the steps she has taken to deliver access to core support services for carers nationally; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8087/19]
43. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Finance the measures taken to meet and engage with insurance companies regarding excessive premiums being charged to consumers, particularly in counties Carlow and Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7359/19]
233. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the potential funding streams that assist young students of music to travel to the United States of America to engage in workshops and programmes in order to develop their talents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7303/19]
143. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health if a decision to deny a person (details supplied) a primary medical certificate will be reviewed (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7304/19]
96. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills the potential funding streams that assist young students of music to travel to the United States of America to engage in workshops and programmes in order to develop their talents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7302/19]
659. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to introduce an incremental instalment payment plan to assist persons in paying the cost of water connection charges that would be considered excessive or are in excess of a predetermined threshold; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5211/19]
73. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health his plans to improve and enhance cardiac care services for those living in the south east; if he believes there is an equal provision of cardiac services in the region in comparison to the rest of the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5378/19]
28. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the timeline for the commencement of works on the ground under the national broadband plan; the measures contained within same to ensure rapid roll out of broadband services for rural areas, rural communities and regional towns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3148/19]
39. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to review the school transport system, in particular the system for the allocation of concessionary tickets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2726/19]