160. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the level of engagement between her Department and the arts officers in local authorities; her views that each local authority should employ an arts officer; and if there is scope for greater co-operation and collaboration between arts officers from different counties, in view of the benefits of the arts to local cultural life and also tourism. [5513/15]
47. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the level of engagement between her Department and recruitment agencies here to encourage and maximise the use of jobsireland.ie in identifying possible candidates; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4981/15]
26. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the progress made in implementing JobPath; the contracts on the service provision that have been completed; the level of ongoing engagement between her Department and the service provider; the measurement criteria for the operation of JobPath in terms of achieving the stated aims and objectives; if JobPath will be available in all areas of the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4982/15]
159. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the substantial concerns from teachers regarding the implementation of a new system for the allocation of special and additional teaching hours; the level and frequency of consultation with teachers and representative bodies; if her Department and the associated National Council for Special Education will engage in further consultation in order that we can ensure that the proposed system is agreeable to all involved and, most important, beneficial to pupils; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5146/15]
79. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the relevant file in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway will be sent by his Department to the agricultural appeals office to allow that office proceed with the person's appeal; and the reason there has been a delay in sending this file. [5123/15]
78. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) has not been paid their single payment scheme moneys for 2012, 2013 and 2014; the basis it is stated overpayment have been made; the way these overpayments occurred; if the overpayment is now cleared; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5122/15]
69. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if, in relation to the deadline of 30 June 2015 for the provision under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2013 relating to what is known as the grace period for retirement for those affected by the pay reductions under the Act, this deadline is fixed; or if there are plans or flexibility on extending it. [5179/15]
29. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Finance if in his position as a member of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council the issue of an examination and review of the VAT directives will be raised with respect but not limited to the ongoing effects of the application of national rules which existed prior to 1991 including such measures as the charging of VAT for safety equipment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4701/15]
676. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the way the name for the new centre at Teach an Phiarsigh in Ros Muc, Connemara, County Galway, was chosen; and if it would be more appropriate to have a name which reflects the historical links of the new centre. [4999/15]
550. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will report on the evaluation of Springboard; if the evaluation reports are made available; if she will report on the group charged with evaluating the programme; and her plans to increase the number and scope of the courses available to jobseekers. [4993/15]
547. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the financial support received from the Department for the development of sports facilities at a school (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [4946/15]
489. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health the measures that are in place to ensure the highest standards of care at residential facilities for persons with a disability; and the method and frequency of inspections to ensure continued observations of such standards. [4948/15]
488. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health the way he will address the disturbing revelations of the unacceptable and poor standards of care at certain parts of Áras Attracta, County Mayo. [4947/15]
487. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health the number of persons with heart failure here; the estimated cost of treating the condition on an annual basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4945/15]
321. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 92 of 22 January 2015, the exact areas of Dunbulcan Bay, County Galway, that were surveyed as part of the appropriate assessment; the methodology used; the dates the survey took place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4417/15]
293. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress of evaluating the use of social employment clauses in public sector procurement under the devolved schools programme; and if such an approach will be rolled out across public sector procurement. [4950/15]
229. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her plans to alter the tax collection structure in a manner which would enable self-employed persons to make contributions that would provide income support in the event of business failure in view of the fact that the current social insurance system does not provide non-means tested support in the short term in such instances. [4690/15]
219. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if the rent supplement payment is permitted if the owner of the property is the son or daughter of the resident and potential recipient of the payment. [4949/15]
152. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on the position of the introduction of greenway projects in County Galway. [4345/15]
133. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the model being used, including issues such as the land acquisition and access, to develop greenway projects. [4346/15]
80. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a balancing payment will be issued to a person (details supplied) regarding the loss of a number of cattle within their herd to tuberculosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4237/15]
26. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on closed containment systems considering the concerns within the angling sector of certain fish farming methods in view of the revenue generated by this sector and its importance for tourism. [3882/15]
11. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his Department will support the use of closed containment systems in fish production in order to guard against any negative impact on our natural wild fish stocks within our rivers and lakes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3881/15]
38. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the progress on the new national planning framework which appears to be the proposed successor to the national spatial strategy; the way the new framework will achieve the principles of sustainable and regionally balanced development; and when it is likely the framework will be published. [3626/15]
14. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the progress of restoring and renewing the local authority housing stock to ensure maximum availability of accommodation, with particular reference to counties Galway and Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3627/15]
621. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the tendering for services and aerodrome management between the Aran Islands and Inishbofin and Cleggan, County Galway, will be separated to encourage the use of the latter facilities for north west Connemara, County Galway. [3928/15]
585. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason driving tests for larger vehicles are not available in County Galway; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that applicants have to travel to Athlone, County Westmeath, which is a considerable distance for persons residing west of Galway city; if in the interests of fairness a suitable venue in Galway city for carrying out such categories of testing will be sought; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3927/15]
584. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason driving test facilities in County Galway do not have public toilet facilities and designated parking for the centre in view of the fact that such facilities are available at other test centres and are important for persons undertaking the driving test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3926/15]
558. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the staffing issue at his Department which is delaying funding to volunteer centres, including salaries; and if the separate issue of the loss of a funding stream due to the restructuring of the local development structures has been addressed so that volunteer centres can proceed with plans for this year and the important work that the centres do across the country. [3883/15]
465. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on the capital application in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Galway; if it will be included on the next five year capital programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3614/15]
274. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a licence held by a person (details supplied); the reason this licence was historically issued for in each year from 2004 to 2014, inclusive; the entitlements this licence allowed the owner to fish for in each of these years; if entitlements have been lost in these years; if the licence confines the owner to a certain method of fishing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3833/15]
262. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has given consideration in consultation with Connemara Pony Breeders Association to initiating a specialist report on the future of the Connemara pony. [3590/15]
261. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update with regard to the establishment of a suckler research herd at a location (details supplied) in County Galway; the possible impact this may have on sheep numbers and sheep research at this location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3589/15]
92. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress being made by his Department in relation to baseline studies on Ireland's bays as required under EU regulations, the EU habitats directive and the Natura 2000 directive; if any have been completed; if any are close to being completed; the likely start and completion dates of a study on two bays (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3141/15]
37. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the expansion of the embassy network with particular reference to the "Winning Business and Jobs" abroad strand of the Action Plan for Jobs, and if further development of consulates such as that in Austin, Texas, which is based on a multi-agency approach, is under consideration. [2602/15]
29. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views regarding the impact of a UK exit from the European Union, particularly on Irish trade and the common travel area; and if this issue is being considered by his Department with a view to drawing up plans for use in the event of an exit. [2608/15]
53. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health if temporary arrangements will be put in place in advance of the proposed new emergency department facility at University Hospital Galway to improve capacity and patient outcomes at this facility for County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2386/15]
25. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health when a decision is likely on a new emergency department in University Hospital Galway; when approval from the Health Service Executive steering committee on the type and height of the new building will be forthcoming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2384/15]
628. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the timeline for the application process for the European Capital of Culture bid for 2020, for which several cities, including Galway, are planning submissions. [2736/15]
627. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will report on the discussions between her Department and an arts facility (details supplied) in County Galway; if additional financial support is being considered; and her plans to visit the facility to see the progress being made. [2735/15]
588. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if public consultation will take place to provide information and an opportunity for feedback on the proposals under the national broadband plan; and the estimated timeframe of the implementation of the measures. [2730/15]
566. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the recent work on tackling short-term homelessness in the Dublin region which has ensured that a surplus stock of beds is now in place, if such a focus can be placed on other cities such as Galway so as to eliminate short-term homelessness while other measures such as social housing rejuvenation and development, and assistance with accommodation rental and purchase are under way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2734/15]
456. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health to set down the arrangements at present for public health nurses to serve the health care needs of communities on offshore islands such as the Aran Islands and Inishbofin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2738/15]
455. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health if the issue of the upgrade of a health centre at a location (details supplied) in County Galway has been addressed by the property and estates management committee of the Health Service Executive; and when it is likely that the redevelopment project will commence. [2737/15]
360. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps taken to support the professionalisation of child care which would be of benefit to both child care service users and persons working in the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2766/15]
359. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason for the recruitment of new early years education inspectors; the envisaged relationship between these inspectors recruited under the better start programme and the current inspectorate operating under the child care regulations from 2006; and if a single inspectorate would be more appropriate and effective to monitor compliance with all obligations including educational ones. [2750/15]
311. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Defence his plans for recruitment to the Navy in 2015; the numbers on any recruitment panels at present; if he expects this panel to be exhausted this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2827/15]
302. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans regarding the district veterinary office in County Galway; if the office is to be relocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2767/15]
289. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if, under the single payment scheme 2015, there will be an appropriate box to indicate lands being grazed by a farmer, including commonage, for which there is no ownership title in the farmer's name, but on which the farmer has grazing rights, as the current forms indicate to declare lands as owned, rented or leased only. [2294/15]
284. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a person who turned 40 years of age on 27 September 2014 will be eligible to apply for entitlements from the national reserve; or if they are prohibited due to age. [2236/15]