QUESTION

To ask the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport the way in which his Department have used the moneys the State received from the sale of its stake in Aer Lingus; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

REPLY

The Exchequer received €335 million in September 2015 for its 25.1% shareholding in Aer Lingus.
The previous Government invested the proceeds in a new ‘Connectivity fund’ as a sub-portfolio of the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF). The Minister for Finance sought Oireachtas approval for the proceeds to be paid into this fund in accordance with Section 46(2) of the National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Act, 2014. This further investment strengthened ISIF’s capacity to support economic investment.
The connectivity fund is designed to support projects which enhance Ireland’s physical, virtual or energy connectivity. The management and control of the fund is a matter for the NTMA.

QUESTION

To ask the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport the status of the DART Interconnector that is, DART underground; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

REPLY

As the Deputy is aware, the  National Transport Authority (NTA) is responsible for the development of public transport infrastructure within the Greater Dublin Area, including the DART Undergorund Tunnel which forms part of the DART Expansion Programme.
Noting the NTA's responsibility for implementation of public transport in the Greater Dublin Area, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. 

QUESTION

To ask the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport the status of the extension of the DART to Balbriggan, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

REPLY

As the Deputy is aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) is responsible for the development of public transport infrastructure within the Greater Dublin Area, including the DART Expansion Programme.
Noting the NTA's responsibility for implementation of public transport in the Greater Dublin Area, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. 

QUESTION

To ask the Minister for Health the number of children waiting for assessment by early intervention teams in CHO9; and the number waiting 0 to 3, 3 to 6, 6 to 9, 9 to 12, 12 to 18, 18 to 24 and more than 24 months, respectively

REPLY

The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.  
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

QUESTION

To ask the Minister for Health when the gratuity payment due to certain home help workers will be made in lieu of pension payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

REPLY

The Deputy is referring to Home Help workers who are employed by voluntary providers of home help services which are funded under section 39 of the Health Act 2004.
I advised the Deputy previously that as these home help workers are not employed by the HSE, the HSE and the Department have no role in determining the salaries or other terms and conditions applying to these staff including any pension arrangements.
In addition, the Deputy is aware that a joint working group was established, as agreed as part of the 2015 Lansdowne Road talks, to consider a number of issues in relation to section 39 organisations.  Unfortunately it was not possible to reach an agreement between the parties on the issue of gratuity payments.

QUESTION

To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the reopening date of a Garda station (details supplied) which was announced in 2016; the date it is due to be opened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. (Details Supplied) Rush Garda Station.

REPLY

The Programme for Government included for the re-opening of a number of closed Garda Stations (6)  throughout the country, including Rush Garda Station, Co. Dublin.  The Office of Public Works has undertaken an assessment of all the Stations identified in  this 'pilot programme of Station re-openings', and based on the Garda Síochána 'brief of requirements' received, has advised them on the works required and indicative costs involved.  
On 15th August 2018, OPW issued a "Notice to Quit" to the then Licencee of the building, and received vacant possession of this building by the end of September 2018.
The OPW is currently engaged in the deliberative process with An Garda Síochána in finalising the required works to meet their brief of requirements.  At the last site meeting held on 10th October 2018, several matters were agreed and some reviews and clarifications were sought prior to a final sign-off.
Once full agreement and sign-off is achieved, OPW will proceed with the procurement of works to be undertaken, and which is expected to be completed over the coming months.

QUESTION

To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the rent supplement budget for 2019.

REPLY

The Budget for Rent Supplement in 2019 is €132.4m, as published in the 2019 Budget Estimates on Budget Day.
Expenditure on Rent Supplement is declining as a result of the transfer of recipients to the Housing Assistance Payment administered by local authorities and funded from the Vote of the Department of Housing,  Planning and Local Government.