384. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Social Protection while acknowledging the introduction of the new housing assistance payment, if a more flexible approach can be adopted regarding the rent supplement scheme in areas such as Galway city which is experiencing a rise in rental prices and in consideration that the roll-out of HAP is being performed on a phased basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26084/14]
209. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Finance his plans to improve the taxation arrangements regarding child care, such as exempting child care costs from tax liability when such a service is provided by an employer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26124/14]
21. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the planned roll-out of State-supported broadband infrastructure will include locations close to urban areas, such as Bushypark in Galway, which are near the upgraded infrastructure of companies such as Eircom but which are not serviced by the private operators, particularly in the context of employment and businesses dependent on reliable broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24719/14]
11. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will report on the progress of the rural broadband implementation plan; if the plan has cleared the EU regulations; and when it is hoped to begin the roll out of broadband infrastructure to the rural locations identified recently. [24720/14]
32. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he has sought a report into the recent actions of the National Parks and Wildlife Service pertaining to turf cutting on Knockarasar bog in Galway; if there has been any change in policy regarding this type of bog; the date on which the Moycullen district bogs were designated as national heritage areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24452/14]
13. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the funding streams available to support art galleries and exhibitions, particularly in Galway and other locations outside Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24451/14]
414. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an agri-environment options scheme payment will issue in respect of a person (details supplied); the result of an inspection undertaken on their farm; and the penalty if any to be applied. [24301/14]
122. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the Civil Registration Bill 2014; when this Bill will be introduced; and if, in view of the regrettable delays at amending the law regarding the issuance of death certificates of Irish persons who die while abroad, the Bill will have sufficient retrospective applicability. [24123/14]
113. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Social Protection if the operation of community welfare services, following the reorganisation with a new focus on telephone services and home visits has been monitored and kept under review; if her Department has sought feedback; if any recommendations have arisen; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24122/14]
85. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department was made aware of problems with the online single payment form system in 2014, particularly where changes had to be made to maps; if his Department received many complaints prior to the closing date; and if he will ensure improvements are made regarding ease of use. [24026/14]
18. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the progress of implementing the new workplace relations service; when the legislation underpinning the proposed new structures will be published and introduced in Dáil Éireann; and if the new services will be sufficiently accessible without undue financial costs which would act as an impediment to persons seeking to avail of the service. [23809/14]
4. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will report on the development of a framework for a regional enterprise strategy; if the strategy will take into account the differing characteristics and needs of a regions, language needs for example; when it is envisaged that the strategy will be finalised in recognition of its value for sustainable regional development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23808/14]
237. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress to date in opening up bus routes to competition; if it is intended to, in terms of future opening up of routes outside of Dublin, group urban routes with rural routes in tenders given the greater financial return of urban routes but the necessity of rural routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23950/14]
236. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way in which, in the context of the withdrawal of paper tickets for public transport and the introduction of a smaller number of prepaid ticketing options for leap cards only, it is proposed to offer good value and easily obtainable ticket options for public transport for tourists and visitors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23949/14]
235. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in the context of the introduction of reduced fares for young persons aged between 16 and 18, where the cost of such reductions will be borne; and if the introduction of this measure will result in increased fares for other passengers. [23948/14]
234. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when Directive 2012/36/EU which would allow a person undergoing a driving test on an automatic lorry or bus to be granted a full lorry or bus licence provided the person possesses a full manual car driving licence, particularly as the regulations to be introduced by end of June on foot of Directive 2016/126/EC will place Irish driving instructors at a disadvantage to their counterparts in the UK, including Northern Ireland. [23945/14]
221. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health if records are kept regarding the sale of e-cigarette and associated products; the level of VAT that has been obtained from the sale of e-cigarettes in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23943/14]
140. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been brought to a report by international NGO Grain which shows an increasing rapidity in the decline in the number of small farms and a corresponding rise in the number of corporately-owned and large scale farms; and if he is satisfied that the newly-agreed Common Agricultural Policy contains sufficient measures to support small farms in keeping with the traditional focus of European agriculture. [23944/14]
138. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the sheep grassland payment for 2013 in respect of a person (details enclosed) was withdrawn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23932/14]
136. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reasons for a clawback in money under the disadvantaged area scheme and the single payment scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the basis on which the clawbacks were calculated; the relevant years detailed individually; the legislative basis on which the reductions were enacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23862/14]
109. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress of the Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Smart Metering) Bill 2014; if this Bill will see a comprehensive roll out of smart metering; and his views on whether the introduction of smart metering could provide a mechanism for ensuring that mirco-generators of electricity through renewable means, including schools, small businesses and community organisations and realise the full value of the electricity produced. [23951/14]
105. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Seán Kyne den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cad í an chéad chéim eile maidir leis an aersheirbhís d'Oileáin Árann tar éis tuarascáil Ernst & Young ar an OSP don aersheirbhís a fháil; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [23958/14]
91. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the assistance being provided by his Department and agencies under the remit of his Department to small and medium enterprises in establishing an online presence and trading online; if there are country or region specific strategies; and the number of businesses which have availed of the supports in the past three years. [23946/14]
65. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the strategy for maximising the potential use of third level infrastructure such as classrooms and lecture theatres for part-time and evening or weekend short, skills-intensive courses which could help enable a person to acquire new skills or maintain existing ones in the context of the jobs market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23947/14]
23. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if, in the context of the review of decentralisation necessitated by the unprecedented difficult financial position of the State, has has plans to review the possible relocation of units and sections of the public service to locations outside of Dublin in the interests of sustainable regional development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23682/14]
9. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will, in the context of the establishment of the office of public procurement, outline the measures that are being taken to maximise the participation in procurement of small and medium enterprises and local businesses which, while mindful of the European obligations, contribute enormously to local economies through the business secured from procurement contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23681/14]
24. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the lack of momentum, as reported in the education supplement of a national newspaper last week, in implementing the new anti-bullying policy in schools, a circular for which issued in September 2013 and which directed schools to implement a new policy, with corresponding procedures and practices, prior to the end of the second school term of the school year 2013-14; and the steps that will be taken to ensure the effective introduction of the very welcome new anti-bullying policy. [23350/14]
12. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on the progress at securing new premises and-or new sites for schools (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23349/14]
15. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the improvements that have accrued in processing times and overall customer service with the introduction of an appointments structure at the main Dublin Passports Office; and if, in the interests of regional balance, consideration will be given to the establishment of a passport office in County Galway for the western region. [23217/14]
10. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if, following the misappropriation of Irish Aid funds through corrupt means involving the Government of Uganda, he will outline the improvements and strengthening of safeguards to ensure Irish Aid funds reach the intended persons who are most in need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23218/14]
990. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on the progress of developing and implementing a safety at sea strategy which is particularly relevant in summer months when increased numbers of people use waterways and engage in marine-based activities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23355/14]
953. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 26 of 14 May 2014, if he will clarify the concerns raised by constituents since receipt of that reply that the roll-out of insulin pump treatment for children and young people with diabetes over the age of five has been suspended for the rest of this year; if he will direct the Health Service Executive to proceed with the policy of introducing insulin pumps as soon as possible due to the substantial improvements in treating the condition which arise from using the pump treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23354/14]
952. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health further to the Parliamentary Questions Nos. 574 and 575 of 11 March 2014, when a reply will be furnished regarding the issues raised, namely, confirmation of the cost of relocating a health centre and the cost of accommodation required over a ten-year period for a public health nurse at a location (details supplied) in County Galway. [23353/14]
575. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the additional allowances of water to be introduced for persons with a disability will be structured in a manner that will not disadvantage persons with a disability who do not have a medical card but still face additional challenges as a result of the nature of the disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23352/14]
471. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Social Protection if, in relation to JobBridge, consideration could be given to introducing a time limit within which applicants with the required jobseeker's and other social welfare criteria could apply for internship but after which other persons with an interest in a particular sector could also apply to participate in the internships as such a new format would eliminate the current situation where a person hoping to work in a particular sector has to leave employment to build up the required three months on a social welfare payment to become eligible for the JobBridge scheme. [23357/14]
176. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Finance if it is envisaged that the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland will be available to local authorities and other regional organisations to assist in leveraging finance for small to medium-scale infrastructure projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23356/14]
175. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Finance if consideration will be given to increasing the maximum rebate allowance, currently at €9,500, to assist persons with mobility issues, such as wheelchair users, with the purchase of vehicles, particularly as the rebate has not been increased for a significant number of years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23351/14]
174. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Finance if he will in the context of the European Court of Justice ruling of April 2013 which will see an end to the excise relief on the fuel element of the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme in December of this year, provide an update on the work to establish a new grant scheme for drivers or passengers with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23347/14]
42. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Finance in the context of ensuring credit availability for small to medium-sized enterprises, his views on facilitating credit unions in lending amounts under a certain value to businesses at a local level to encourage expansion and job creation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17478/14]
11. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Finance to outline the steps being taken to prepare for e-day in September, after which Departments and public sector agencies will no longer issue or accept cheques; if this includes local authorities; and if measures are being implemented to ensure continued ease of payment, in particular for the public and small local businesses. [16788/14]
21. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the present model of permissive access is working in terms of the introduction of greenways at locations around the country; and if he shares the view that alternative models may need to be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21489/14]
7. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the current status of the project to upgrade the N59 on the approach to Moycullen, County Galway, for which planning permission has been granted; and if he acknowledges the urgency of this project in view of the deficiencies of the existing road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21490/14]
26. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a report on the introduction of insulin pump treatment for children and young persons with diabetes; if he will indicate the posts that have been filled to carry out this treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21203/14]
14. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the progress of the special delivery unit in tackling waiting times at University Hospital Galway and across the west-north west hospital group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21206/14]
689. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the vehicle immobilisation legislation which will govern the private clamping industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21549/14]
656. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm the entitlements to dental care under the medical card scheme; if the entitlement permits two fillings per year; and if there is a waiting period of five years before a recipient may have a second or subsequent filling in the same tooth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21547/14]
523. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the names of the inspectors from the agricultural appeals office who carried out an inspection on Keelderry commonage in Galway on 23 January 2014; if these inspectors were formerly inspectors with his Department; and whether they are still being paid by his Department. [21190/14]
494. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in the context of water charges, if his attention has been drawn to the additional water consumption faced by Mná na Tí and such households which form an integral part of the summer Gaeltacht programmes; and if consideration will be given to this particular category in the establishment of the water pricing structures. [21548/14]
326. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will, in view of the very welcome recent investment into research and development at higher education institutions, the supports available from his Department and relevant agencies to support the commercialisation of research projects; if he will provide an indication of the number of supported projects and research programmes that have resulted in successful commercialisation in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21551/14]
313. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress on the recently announced Claregalway drainage and flood relief measures for the Clare River; if he will indicate the stage the project is at; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21546/14]