92. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review the position of the hardship cases that were affected by the abrupt closure of the young farmer installation aid scheme in 2008; the steps he will take to assist those affected, in view of the fact that a commitment had been provided by a previous Minister to allow applications that were in the pipeline to be completed and to allow eligible young farmers who were under 35 years of age to apply for the scheme when it re-opened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7251/15]
531. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will allow a late student grant application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary in view of the personal circumstances involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5907/15]
496. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will reverse the cuts to special education needs provision that have been imposed in recent years, in particular the 15% cut to resource hours, the cuts to the number of English- as-an-additional-language teachers and the cuts to resource teachers for members of the Traveller community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5478/15]
355. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will reverse the cuts to salary rates for the current intakes of Garda trainees; if she will reinstate the €4,000 rent allowance that has been abolished; her views that it is fair for trainee gardaí to be on a gross annual salary of €23,171, considerably less than the starting salary of the last group of trainees in 2009 who commenced on a starting salary of €31,000; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5912/15]
182. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that her Department's helpline telephone number to validate a public service card is a 1890 number, which, despite being called a low-cost number, can result in high call charges to customers, depending on the service provider; whether she will take steps to resolve this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5696/15]
362. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the new vaccination against meningitis B, Bexsero, here; when a decision will be made as to whether this drug will be made available in this jurisdiction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3521/15]
361. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that emergency funding is secured for accommodation upgrades for public nursing homes whose future has been cast in doubt due to their failure to meet Health Information and Quality Authority’s new accommodation standards; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that up to 21 of these facilities, including two in County Tipperary, may not be re-registered by HIQA this year due to their failure to meet this standard; the steps being taken to prevent any such closures; the cost to the State of carrying out these upgrades; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3516/15]
232. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Question No. 258 of 14 January 2015, the number of visits by potential investors-IDA Ireland to north and south Tipperary in 2014; the way this compares with other counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3334/15]
150. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 165 and 166 of 13 November 2014, and Parliamentary Question No. 545 of 14 January 2015, if he will provide the information requested; if his attention has been drawn to fact that this is the third time this Deputy is asking this question and to date no answer has been provided to the exact questions raised; if he will secure the information requested from the Health Service Executive in view of the fact that it has now had two months to prepare the information; and his views on whether this unreasonable delay and refusal to answer the questions is acceptable. [3137/15]
242. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a guarantee that the Government will ensure that Ireland’s Heathrow slots will be protected if it goes ahead with the sale of its stake in Aer Lingus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2965/15]
344. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on a matter regarding a posthumous pardon to a person (details supplied); her plans to progress this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2748/15]
754. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 390 of 9 December 2014 the additional mileage that would be incurred by Bus Éireann if it altered the route as requested; the cost of same; and if in view of the health and safety concerns in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary it will consider making this alteration. [49475/14]
683. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a replacement scheme for the motorised transport grant and mobility allowance which were abolished by the Government in February 2013, to the detriment of over 5,000 recipients across the country; if he will provide a concrete timeframe for the introduction of the replacement scheme; the reason for the prolonged delay in creating a replacement scheme; if his attention has been drawn to the distress being caused to those with a physical disability who, almost two years on, are still in the dark as to a replacement scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1579/15]
527. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 165 and 166 of 13 November 2014, if he will provide the information requested as the reply received from the Health Service Executive fails to respond to the issues raised; if his attention has been drawn to the crisis with regards to the funding of home care packages and the unacceptable waiting lists for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49478/14]
498. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps being taken to resolve the on-going issues with adoptions from Russia; if a bilateral agreement with Russia on adoption will be advanced; if so, when it can be expected; the timeframe for its creation; if his attention has been drawn to the devastation and heartbreak this ongoing uncertainty is causing for families here already engaged and at an advanced stage of the adoption process with Russia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1193/15]
428. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide a breakdown on the number of civil servants employed by the Courts Service in County Tipperary for 2011, 2012 and 2013, and currently by full time or part time basis, grade and location. [1169/15]
258. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide a county breakdown of the number of Industrial Development Agency led jobs created in 2014; the amount of IDA jobs delivered in County Tipperary in 2014; if he will provide information on the number of visits of potential investors/IDA to Tipperary in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1330/15]
404. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if he will intervene with the Health Service Executive to ensure that the registration office in Thurles, County Tipperary, is reopened as a matter of priority; if his attention has been drawn to those in the Thurles and surrounding areas who now have to travel a considerable distance to either Nenagh or Roscrea to meet their legal requirements with regard to registering life events; if his attention has been further drawn to the disruption, cost and inconvenience this is causing to families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49092/14]
563. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will extend the temporary exchange programme in place for permanent primary school teachers; if she will allow for permanent transfers where both teachers and both schools are in agreement, rather than the five-year exchange limit currently in place; if her attention has been drawn to the inconvenience and difficulty being caused to teachers due to the inability to transfer once a permanent position is secured; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47892/14]
408. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will intervene to ensure that funding is made available to ensure that Childline’s 24-hour service continues; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that due to a funding crisis caused by increased demand, Childline may have to withdraw its night-time service, a time when the service is desperately needed; if his attention has been further drawn to the vital importance of Childline to vulnerable children throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47997/14]
394. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will prioritise a school building for a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the current school building is in a deplorable condition, is overcrowded and totally unfit for use; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46978/14]
390. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will intervene in a school transport issue affecting a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; if she will review, and alter, the current bus route in place, in view of the danger being posed to this person as a result of the current pick up point; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that this minor alteration will not make the route longer and in fact would return to a route that was used previously; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46961/14]
318. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 315 of 25 November 2014 if he will address the specific issues raised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Laois; if he will specifically review the particulars of this case and intervene, rather than provide an overview of the situation nationally; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this person will die if the required treatment is not made available as a matter of urgency either here or abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46946/14]
260. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 462 if he will provide the information sought in relation to the total number of overclaim cases currently with the land parcel identification system section; the average processing time in resolving these cases; the number of Tipperary farmers awaiting a decision in their cases; his views that these delays are acceptable; the steps he will take to tackle these backlogs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45837/14]
177. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will review the distance requirements in place for school transport eligibility; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the minimum distance of 4.8 km from the nearest education centre is placing severe pressure on families in rural areas who are just outside of this limit, in view of the fact that there is no public transport in these areas and parents may be working and unable to drive these pupils to school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45712/14]
350. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if he will provide information on the average waiting time for those awaiting physiotherapy appointments in the Community Hospital of the Assumption in Thurles, County Tipperary; if his attention has been drawn to the staff in the physiotherapy Department who are under severe pressure in the hospital and cannot cope with the volume of work in place; if he will personally intervene to ensure that steps are taken to assist the hardworking staff and to ensure that the current waiting lists are reduced [45077/14]
315. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if he will intervene with the Health Service Executive to prevent a case of discrimination against a seriously ill person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44798/14]
266. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will engage with interest groups in relation to the publication last week of the report on firearms licensing; if she will meet the interest groups in question without delay; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that if the recommendations are enacted as per the report they will penalise legitimate and law-abiding individuals who currently hold guns legally for hunting and sporting reasons; if she will provide a guarantee that legitimate firearm holders for the purposes of sport and hunting will be provided for by any legislation in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44913/14]
144. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will review the rent supplement levels in place given the rise in market rents across the country, and the reality that persons cannot secure accommodation within the current limits, thereby driving many families and individuals into homelessness. [44795/14]
392. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the promised free general practitioner care for those under six years of age; the progress to date in this regard; and when free GP care will be available to children under six years of age. [44050/14]
166. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the waiting list for support under the home care package in the midlands region and in each Health Service Executive region; his views on whether these delays in putting supports in place are acceptable; the steps he will take to ensure the approved supports are immediately made available to these families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43553/14]
165. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if he will sanction additional funding to provide for support under the home care package for persons in the midlands area; if his attention has been drawn to seriously ill and infirm persons in this region who are being left without support which has been approved and which has been deemed necessary in view of the severity of the medical conditions involved, leaving these individuals in a very vulnerable position and placing huge amounts of pressure on their families; his views on whether this is fair; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43552/14]
164. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if he will take steps to ensure that funding is put in place to provide home care package support in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this person is rightfully entitled to these supports, which have been approved, but is being deprived of them; if his attention has been further drawn to the impact this is having on the person's family, which is attempting to fill the breach left by the Health Service Executive, which has a responsibility towards the care of the elderly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43551/14]
383. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on a replacement scheme for the now defunct motorised transport grant and mobility allowance; if his attention has been drawn to the hardship and distress being caused to those with impaired mobility due to the failure to bring forward an alternative in a reasonable period; his views that it is acceptable that those with a disability have been left without such a scheme for 20 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43048/14]
380. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if he will review the low rate of salary being paid to newly qualified nurses; if he is aware that a newly qualified nurse may be paid a lower rate than the care assistants they are working alongside; his views on whether this is fair (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43024/14]
244. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a single farm payment will issue in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Tipperary; the exact date of the next 2013 payment run; if he will take steps to expedite this payment date in view of the financial hardship and distress being caused to farmers as a result of the delay in payments issuing and the fact that this is an expensive time of year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43213/14]
71. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is no funding available to persons for assistance under the home care package (details supplied), the steps he will take to tackle this issue and sanction funding; if his attention has been drawn to the hardship and distress being caused to families as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39345/14]
47. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will intervene in two satellite inspection cases (details supplied) in County Tipperary; when the results of these inspections will be made available to his Department; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the delay in providing these results is resulting in a delay of payments to the persons and is subsequently causing financial hardship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39417/14]
370. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider the plight of members of the Irish airlines superannuation scheme and if he will refuse to sign the ministerial orders which have been recently enacted in the State Airports (Shannon Airport) Act 2014, in view of the financial hardship being caused; his views that the decimation of pension entitlements for these persons is fair and reasonable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38973/14]
356. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will expedite the national broadband plan in view of the financial hardship being caused to families in rural areas as a result of the drastic hike in broadband prices and further to the abolition of funding under the national broadband scheme by the Government earlier this year (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38871/14]
237. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the student assistance fund is not available in certain third level institutes (details supplied) in County Tipperary; her views that this is fair; if her attention has been drawn to the financial hardship and distress being caused to students as a result; if she will extend the student assistance scheme to cover all third level institutions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38890/14]
206. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the fourth and fifth reports of the Constitutional Convention will be brought before Dáil Éireann; if this will be done without delay, in view of the fact that the deadline to respond has passed and in view of the importance of the recommendations contained in these reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38313/14]
129. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for the processing of long-term illness card applications in each office; the number of persons working in each of these offices and processing long-term illness applications; if he will provide for individual staff to assist those processing these applications; his views that these backlogs are acceptable in view of the illness of the applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38426/14]
258. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an update on the costing and implementation of the five priorities identified by the Irish Deaf Society at its meeting with him, and as was promised by him by early 2014; if he will further provide an update on the steps that have been taken to date to review these proposals; if consideration has been given to these proposals; if so, the outcome of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37839/14]
168. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Finance the steps he will take to ease the financial burden for graduate entry medicine students and graduates by introducing tax relief on repayments of approved loan products for these students and graduates; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that these students and graduates simply cannot survive on the current non-consultant hospital doctor, NCHD, starting salary once their loans repayments have been made; if his attention has been drawn to the hardship and distress being caused as a result; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this debt is driving young doctors out of the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37971/14]
128. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if he will review the rate of pay for graduate mental health nurses; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that these graduate nurses are being offered employment at 85% pay while their counterparts in general nursing are being offered contracts on 100% pay; if he will examine this matter; his views that this distinction is fair and equitable in view of the fact that general nurses and mental health nurses hold the same qualification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37387/14]
346. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to ensure that Fampyra (details supplied) is made available to those with multiple sclerosis here; if he will review the decision made by the Health Service Executive not to fund Fampyra; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36580/14]
289. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of retirements from An Garda Síochána in County Tipperary from the years 2011 to date in 2014; and the total number of gardaí stationed in County Tipperary during these years. [36818/14]
245. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will review the decision made by her predecessor in 2012 which removed the subsidy that was granted to student teachers to undertake a mandatory Gaeltacht placement; if her attention has been drawn to the huge additional costs being imposed on student teachers due to this decision; if she will confirm the annual cost of this subsidy to the State in 2012; her views on whether this decision was fair; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36354/14]
173. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will review a school transport issue affecting persons (details supplied) in County Tipperary; if she will also review the decision made by Bus Éireann in view of the information provided; the steps she will take to facilitate the child in question; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36083/14]