235. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that as the lead authority and the gateway city of the south-east region, Waterford has ignored Kilkenny's many requests to set up the implementation group to progress implementation of the Planning Land Use and Transport Strategy, PLUTS. [21778/17]
234. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his views on whether Kilkenny County Council has not in any way impeded the growth of Waterford city, in view of the fact all of Kilkenny's plans correspond with the adopted Planning Land Use and Transport Strategy, PLUTS. [21777/17]
233. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government , further to his stated ambition for Waterford city to double in size by 2040, if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is a strategic plan in place, adopted by both Kilkenny and Waterford local authorities, to provide for Waterford city to double in size, with 42% of the planned growth provided for in Kilkenny. [21776/17]
232. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government , further to his statement of 3 April 2017 which suggested the need for new management solutions to be put in place to facilitate the cohesive expansion of Waterford city which will include areas of south Kilkenny, if this will mean a new joint Waterford/ Kilkenny management structure for the area in question and not an administrative boundary change. [21775/17]
231. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if the county council administrative boundary of counties Kilkenny and Waterford corresponds with their county boundary. [21774/17]
230. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the main headings of his proposals to reform the system of commercial rates; if there is a timeframe for the introduction of the legislation required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21748/17]
208. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills the action he is taking to address the lack of places at primary and secondary level for students with autism in counties Carlow and Kilkenny; if he will appoint an official from his Department to assist individual families to source places or provide alternatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21749/17]
207. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a SNA will be approved for a person (details supplied); his plans regarding the lack of places in mainstream schools for children with autism in Kilkenny city; his further plans to provide funding and other supports to deal with this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21747/17]
130. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the fact that prison officers are being disciplined for not wearing full uniform while escorting prisoners to hospitals and so on in spite of the fact that there is not a sufficient number of stab proof vests, batons and radios to cover all prison officers on escorts each day; if she will authorise an audit of all of the prisons to ensure that this issue is addressed without delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21752/17]
129. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the action she will take to ensure the safety of prison officers who are now being videoed by some members of the public using mobile telephones while on prisoner escort duties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21751/17]
128. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if authorisation will be given for an independent audit of the prison system relative to the methodology used to calculate fines and warrants for persons who had served time in prison and were being released on payment of the fine imposed; the number of persons who were overcharged in the past due to the wrong calculation being made; the amount of overpayment; if the overpayments in question will be refunded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21750/17]
1448. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the cost of the increase in the minimum wage from €9.15 per hour to €9.25 per hour and the cost of sleepovers on assignments from €9.15 per hour to €13.49 per hour will be fully implemented by her Department; if the difference in the costs will be passed on to companies providing specialised services under contract to her Department to enable those companies meet their obligations; if her Department is in negotiations with such service providers at present; if service providers have applied for an increase in rates to meet the rising costs of providing such care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20164/17]
1442. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the efforts being made by a company (details supplied) which is a service provider to Tusla to have its rates for its service increased; if it will be brought to a conclusion as soon as possible; the current status of negotiations; and the timeframe for a decision or resolution. [19943/17]
1319. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will introduce a system of licensing and regulating the use of horse-drawn vehicles on public roads in a number of areas (details supplied); and if a country-wide ban on sulky racing similar to the by-laws created in Kilkenny city and county will also be considered. [19526/17]
1314. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of money that Sport Ireland has spent on legal fees in 2016 and to date in 2017. [19359/17]
1243. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the supports he will put in place to assist a person (details supplied) complete courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20581/17]
1236. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 469 of 28 March 2017, if he will check his Department's records, in view of the fact no contact has been made with the person (details supplied) and the matter raised is far from resolved; if he will also request Bord Bia to respond to the person in view of the fact this agency has not engaged with them either; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20566/17]
1235. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an appeal lodged by a person (details supplied) relative to a REPS payment which was acknowledged on 5 August 2016 will be expedited and approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20562/17]
1084. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has been forced to make three applications for a medical card due to information being lost or misplaced; if he will review the applications made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20580/17]
1083. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if funding approval for a specialised motorised wheelchair for a person (details supplied) will include all of the features they currently enjoy on their existing wheelchair and all of which have been approved and requested by their occupational therapist; and if he will request the HSE to contact the person and confirm that the occupational therapist's request will be granted [20573/17]
1082. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a comprehensive care plan will be provided by the HSE for a person (details supplied); and if their general practitioner's report confirming that they have regular seizures resulting in them having to be hospitalised on a regular basis will be taken into consideration [20569/17]
1012. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if the cost of the increase in the minimum wage from €9.15 per hour to €9.25 per hour and the cost of sleep-overs on assignments from €9.15 per hour to €13.49 per hour will be fully implemented by his Department; if the difference in the costs will be passed on to companies providing specialised services under contract to his Department to enable those companies meet their obligations; if his Department is in negotiations with such service providers at present; if service providers have applied for an increase in rates to meet the rising costs of providing such care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20068/17]
944. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the status of an investigation into the death of a person (details supplied); if correspondence sent to HIQA by a person (details supplied) will be investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19775/17]
930. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the status of a scan for a person (details supplied); if an operation is required; if so, when this will be carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19669/17]
928. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if home help devices will be provided for a person (details supplied); and if the occupational therapist will inspect the house. [19666/17]
926. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the reasons persons who are deemed to be urgent cases attending the urology department of University Hospital Waterford are being told that they will not be seen for 65 months; the steps he is taking to resolve waiting times; the number of persons on this list that have been deemed urgent; the number in other categories; and if he will review the case of a person (details supplied) [19662/17]
925. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health when a decision will be made regarding an independent review of scoliosis services in view of a commitment to a group (details supplied) on 29 March 2017 that this decision would be made and communicated to the group; the reason the draft document titled action plan on scoliosis does not mention persons under 14 years of age on waiting lists; the reason the action plan is based solely on the day case inpatient list and not on all three categories, preplanned and pre-admit; if all of the stakeholders were consulted on the plan; the number of times the co-design board has met since being appointed in October 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19660/17]
832. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health his plans to set up an independent inquiry to investigate the claims by over 300 girls that they all have a common list of complaints; if he will consider the options to provide meaningful intervention to restore these girls to their pre HPV vaccine health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19358/17]
831. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health his plans to approach the providers of the HPV vaccine to contact persons affected by the vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19357/17]
830. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the unit cost of the HPV vaccine in each of the years 2010 to 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19356/17]
829. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the unit administration cost of the HPV vaccine in each of the years 2010 to 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19355/17]
828. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the reason a hip operation was postponed three times for a person (details supplied); if an early date will be arranged for surgery; and if he will expedite same. [19354/17]
746. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the approved recreational activities at a location (details supplied); the process for obtaining permission for a recreational activity and the use of walks at the location; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20162/17]
608. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review upwards the rent allowance being paid to persons (details supplied); the reason the rent allowance was reduced from €112 per week to €40 per week; and if their circumstances and poor health will be considered as part of the review. [20577/17]
567. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a disability allowance by a person (details supplied); and if he will expedite the response or provide an oral hearing. [19941/17]
558. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for disability allowance by a person (details supplied); and if changes have been made to the means test to allow the person to qualify. [19777/17]
541. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection his views on the suggestion that foster carers should be granted some acknowledgement under the social welfare benefit system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19661/17]
527. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason maternity benefit was refused in the case of a person (details supplied); if time spent in full-time education and employment with a company (details supplied) will be considered; and if the fact the person had to finish work earlier than expected will qualify her for any other benefit. [19351/17]
485. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will make available the written submissions made to his Department by organisations (details supplied) and other submissions received relative to the consultation process relating to the Control of Dogs Regulations 1998; if he will initiate an independent review of all existing legislation and regulations relative to the control of dogs and the Act of 1986; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20163/17]
474. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the way in which the administrative structure to oversee the strategic development of parts of south Kilkenny and Waterford will function if all of the stakeholders including the general public will be consulted on the make-up and function of such a structure or authority; if public representatives will be involved; if the rates base for County Kilkenny will be affected; his plans to redirect funding sources such as rates from County Kilkenny to County Waterford or to the new authority; if legislation will be required to accommodate the envisioned changes; if the county boundary debate is now settled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19944/17]
460. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the rationale used by Irish Water to set connection fees for water and sewage in the case of new builds for both domestic and commercial buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19665/17]
459. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the procurement rules for the tendering process for services such as drain cleaners; the reason local contractors find themselves excluded from this process yet they are the ones who deliver on the tender as sub-contractors to the winning tender; if the procurement process will include a positive weighting system which acknowledges local knowledge and expertise, track record and previous work with local authority water sections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19664/17]
358. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of internal auditors employed by the Education and Training Boards, ETBs, at national level; if the reports on audits completed are signed off by the auditor concerned; if there is an issue with the County Cork ETB relative to cash and receipts; if he has satisfied himself that the auditors are being treated in accordance with best practice and good workplace relations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20066/17]
311. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills if funding for an extra classroom to accommodate a further teacher to be appointed will be approved for a school (details supplied); and if he will expedite a decision. [19353/17]
310. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 145 of 10 November 2016, the status of an application for funding a school building project for a school (details supplied); and the timeframe for a decision. [19352/17]
224. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance if a full VAT return has been paid to a person (details supplied); and the reason for the delay in payment. [19204/17]
142. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of correspondence from a person (details supplied); if the concerns raised have been dealt with; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19670/17]