Written answers
Wednesday, 6 November 2013
- Department of Defence
- Defence Forces Properties
10. To ask the Minister for Defence his plans for Rockhill House, Letterkenny, County Donegal, which formerly functioned as an Army barracks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46648/13]
- Defence Forces Funding
13. To ask the Minister for Defence the extent to which he expects to be in a position to ensure the availability of sufficient resources throughout the Defence Forces in order to facilitate the...
- Defence Forces Operations
15. To ask the Minister for Defence his views on recent reports that Anders Fogh Rasmussen has called on European countries to step up efforts towards co-operation on defence matters. [46641/13]
- Defence Forces Representative Organisations
16. To ask the Minister for Defence if he has recently met with the Reserve Defence Forces Representative Association to discuss their concerns regarding the changes to the Reserve Defence Forces...
- Overseas Missions
17. To ask the Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the Defence Forces mission to the Golan Heights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46839/13]
- Emergency Planning
18. To ask the Minister for Defence when the last meeting of the Government task force on emergency planning was held; the agenda for the meeting; when it is planned to hold a further meeting;...
- Departmental Expenditure
19. To ask the Minister for Defence the full cost of his visits to Cyprus, the Lebanon and Israel for St Patrick's Day earlier this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46635/13]
- Defence Forces Family Clinics
20. To ask the Minister for Defence if he has carried out a cost benefit analysis into the decision to cut medical services to the 484 families of serving soldiers who rely on same; and if he...
- Defence Forces Remuneration
21. To ask the Minister for Defence his views on the assertion of the Permanent Defence Forces Other Ranks Representative Association that 20% of its members are on family income supplement and...
- Overseas Missions
22. To ask the Minister for Defence if he will confirm the number of Defence Forces personnel who may be sent to conflict zones abroad with the approval of only part of the three elements of the...
- Naval Service Vessels
25. To ask the Minister for Defence the position regarding a replacement programme for the older vessels in the Naval Services fleet. [46632/13]
- Air Ambulance Service Provision
26. To ask the Minister for Defence his plans to expand the role of the Air Corps air ambulance service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46639/13]
- EU Battlegroups
27. To ask the Minister for Defence his plans for the Defence Forces to participate in any EU Battlegroups in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46842/13]
- Defence Forces Deployment
28. To ask the Minister for Defence his views on whether the triple lock has served the State well; his views on the fact that Ireland’s contribution to international peacekeeping is not...
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Child Abduction
31. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the action he has taken to return a person (details supplied) from Egypt to Ireland. [47292/13]
- Departmental Staff Redeployment
32. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide details of the severance settlements and pension arrangements for the local staff not diplomatically...
- European Council Meetings
33. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the proposed Geneva II conference on the Syrian crisis was discussed at the recent EU Foreign Affairs Council; if the...
- Department of Finance
- Property Taxation Collection
35. To ask the Minister for Finance the final date for cash payments of the local property tax; if he will instruct the Revenue Commissioners to supply clear transparent information to person's...
- Tax Reliefs Availability
36. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will include Drogheda and Dundalk, County Louth, in the living cities initiative in the Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Central Bank of Ireland Investigations
39. To ask the Minister for Finance the period back in time investigators from the Financial Regulator of the Central Bank can investigate; and if it would be expected that based on a complaint...
- Tax Credits
40. To ask the Minister for Finance in respect of the single parent tax credit, if he has considered rewording the current credit so that only the parent or guardian of a child may claim it; and...
- Banking Sector Issues
42. To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding an overdraft issue in respect of a person (details supplied). [47280/13]
- Tax Yield
49. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of persons who paid the domicile levy in 2012 and to date in 2013; the sum collected for the Exchequer from this levy in those periods; the number...
- Pensions Levy Issues
50. To ask the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 81 of 11 January 2012, if he has considered the way the report on pension charges in Ireland 2012 may be used to advance...
- Property Taxation Deferrals
52. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will address an issue (details supplied) where the owner signed up for deferral of the local property tax but keeps receiving payment demands from the...
- State Banking Sector
53. To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding Irish Nationwide Building Society which was transferred to the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation (details supplied); and if he will make...
- Department of Education and Skills
- Broadband Services Provision
54. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide, in tabular form, the broadband connection status of every primary school in County Meath; including whether or not the school...
- Schools Building Projects Applications
55. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if any further consideration has been given by his Department to the application by a college (details supplied) in County Sligo which has...
- State Examinations Issues
57. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will instruct the State Examinations Commission to ensure that in future the leaving certificate rechecks are completed before the new...
- Quality and Qualifications Ireland Remit
58. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there has been a reduction in the number of students enrolling in FETAC courses this year; if training fund reductions are responsible for this...
- State Examinations Reviews
59. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the development of e-portfolios being used for the junior certificate cycle; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- School Staffing
60. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the pension rights school caretakers have in situations where their employment is paid for by a grant or sum that is issued by his Department to...
- Student Grant Scheme Waiting Times
61. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the backlog in processing student grants (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Student Grant Scheme Appeals
62. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress to date in determination of an appeal for a higher education grant in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and...
- School Transport Provision
63. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department have ever seen a statement from the auditors of Bus Éireann stating that Bus Éireann do not make a profit from the...
- Teachers Panel Rights
64. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if time spent completing an internship under the JobBridge scheme at a primary school can be counted towards supplementary panel rights for the...
- Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
- Protected Disclosures in the Public Interest
65. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the protections there are for whistle blowers in the private sector who are self employed/commercial agents as opposed to employees....
- Industrial Disputes
66. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the impact the recent breakdown in negotiations between the An Post management and the group of unions will have on his...
- National Lottery Licence Sale
68. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if annual contributions for good causes will be set at 65% of gross gaming revenues; if it will be provided for in the new national...
- EU Programmes
70. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his Department's responsibility for preparations for Ireland's EU Structural Funds programmes for the period 2014 to 2020. [47259/13]
- Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation
- Gníomhaireachtaí Forbartha Fiontar
76. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation an bhfuil aon dlí fostaíochta ann a chuireann dualgas ar fhostóirí príobháideacha, atá ag fáil...
- Department of Social Protection
- Family Support Services
79. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the entitlements available to a person as a single, separated parent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47239/13]
- Domiciliary Care Allowance Appeals
80. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an appeal of a domiciliary care allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and...
- Family Support Services
81. To ask the Minister for Social Protection in respect of one parent families, if she will support implementing 10 Solutions for Smarter Futures (details supplied); and if she will make a...
- Jobseeker's Allowance Appeals
83. To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on a jobseeker's allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the...
- Free Travel Scheme Applications
84. To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue in relation to a companion free travel pass in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if she will...
- Invalidity Pension Appeals
86. To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on an invalidity allowance appeal will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a...
- Community Employment Schemes Places
87. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on any proposed changes to the community employment scheme, specifically referring to the maximum time a person may...
- Social Welfare Eligibility
88. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if being a child in care under the age of 16 years has any future bearing on an application for a means tested payment; and if she will make a...
- Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility
89. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if a grievance payment received from the Health Service Executive is assessed as means for a means tested payment; and if she will make a statement...
- Domiciliary Care Allowance Review
90. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the implementation of each of the recommendations of the group set up to examine the operation of the domiciliary allowance...
- Invalidity Pension Appeals
91. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of new invalidity pension appeals lodged in 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; the number of such appeals already open at the start of each...
- Disability Allowance Eligibility
92. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if every person who is the subject of a disability allowance review is now being seen by a Department medical assessor before a decision is taken on...
- National Internship Scheme Data
93. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline the various industries and professions that have taken part in the JobBridge scheme; if she will confirm the career choices that...
- Report on Pension Charges
94. To ask the Minister for Social Protection in view of the Report on Pensions Charges in Ireland 2012 and the submissions received from the industry in response to the report, if further policy...
- Pensions Reform
97. To ask the Minister for Social Protection in view of the recommendation of the report on pension charges in Ireland 2012 and the OECD Review of the Irish Pension System, if she plans to put...
- Invalidity Pension Appeals
98. To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a date will be agreed for an appeal of invalidity pension payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will...
- Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility
100. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the supports in place for persons who were formerly self-employed but now find themselves without work; if such persons qualify for any unemployed...
- Social Welfare Code Reform
101. To ask the Minister for Social Protection her plans to reform the social welfare system in order that self-employed persons may have access to necessary supports on a similar basis to...
- Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
- Heritage Projects
103. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide a full list of outlets that provide heritage funding nationally; the total amount these outlets provide on an...
- Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
- Broadband Services Provision
104. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the broadband service for a person (details supplied) in County Cork, who is only 8 km from Cork city, is due to be...
- Energy Resources
105. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his Department has reviewed the most recent capacity assessment by the UK energy regulator, Ofgem, published in June...
- Wind Energy Generation
106. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources how his Department will encourage and attract businesses to commence operations in respect of building wind turbines in...
- Department of Environment, Community and Local Government
- Community Development Projects
107. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of funding that has been allocated to a project (details supplied), to include all funding allocated to the...
- Local Authority Funding
108. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the local government reforms and the proposed increased fiscal responsibilities at a municipal council level,...
- Housing Adaptation Grant Applications
109. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the home renovation incentive in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if he will...
- Building Regulations Compliance
110. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the provisions that are made for non-direct labour in the draft building control regulation plan; and if he will make a...
- Seniors Alert Scheme Issues
111. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the senior alert scheme following the recent budget announcement that the telephone...
- Leader Programmes Administration
112. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if the introduction of local community development committees as set out in the Local Government Bill 2013 is consistent...
- Water Supply
115. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will report on the manner in which the water supply for the Dublin region will be increased in view of recent...
- Local and Community Development Programme Project Funding
117. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of funding the Irish Local Development Network receives directly and indirectly from his Department to run its...
- Private Rented Accommodation Issues
118. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider reviewing the impact of laws on receivership on residential tenants; if he will consider putting in...
- Burial Grounds
119. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding Muslim burials in Dundalk, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47336/13]
- Commercial Rates Impact
120. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will clarify the situation regarding high commercial rates of from €37,000 to €90,000 each year for...
- Noise Pollution Legislation
121. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the benefits of designating parts of cities as quiet areas; if he will provide details of any quiet areas...
- Housing Assistance Payments Implementation
123. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the introduction of the housing assistance payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Department of Justice and Equality
- Crime Investigation
124. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality in relation to a private, registered members-only internet chat and information forum (details supplied); the extent to which this forum would be...
- Missing Children
125. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of minors that have been reported missing that were engaged in the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service process nationally in...
- Dual Citizenship Numbers
126. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if his Department keeps or intends to keep a record in relation to non-nationals who acquire Irish citizenship but who also have national...
- Department of Defence
- Defence Forces Representative Organisations
127. To ask the Minister for Defence the extent to which he and the military authorities continue to engage with the various representative bodies in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a...
- Air Corps Strength
128. To ask the Minister for Defence the extent to which the strength of the Air Corps has been maintained over the past two and a half years throughout all ranks; the extent if any to which...
- Overseas Missions
129. To ask the Minister for Defence the strength and location of various Irish overseas troop deployments at present; the extent to which further deployments have been sought or are...
- Defence Forces Strength
130. To ask the Minister for Defence the number of personnel at all ranks, male and female, who have retired from the Defence Forces in each of the past four years to date; the extent to which...
- Defence Forces Funding
131. To ask the Minister for Defence if he is satisfied regarding the adequacy of the budget for his Department in respect of 2014 with particular reference to maintaining strength, training and...
- Defence Forces Promotions
132. To ask the Minister for Defence the number of promotions outstanding in the Defence Forces in the Army, Navy and Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47395/13]
- Defence Forces Reserve Strength
135. To ask the Minister for Defence the extent to which the Army Reserve Force has fluctuated in strength over the past five years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47398/13]
- Defence Forces Properties
136. To ask the Minister for Defence the extent to which previously decommissioned military installations have been disposed of in line with proposals at the time of closure; and if he will make...
- Defence Forces Personnel Data
137. To ask the Minister for Defence the total number of women in each of the Defence Forces, at all ranks, in each of the past five years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Search and Rescue Service
138. To ask the Minister for Defence the extent to which ongoing review continues to take place into the capacity and capabilities of the Air Corps, with particular reference to air sea rescue,...
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
- Single Payment Scheme Payments
139. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding farm grants due to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and when payment may issue. [47214/13]
- Farm Inspections
142. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide in tabular form on a county basis the number of unannounced farm inspections carried out in 2011, 2012 and to the...
- Fisheries Protection
144. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the impact on fishermen in some coastal communities of the directive to increase the size of a...
- EU Meetings
145. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 356 of 15 October 2013, if he will provide an update on the matter. [47278/13]
- Agriculture Schemes Payments
146. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be paid their 2013 disadvantaged area payment and 2013 single farm payment; the...
- Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments
147. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will be paid their disadvantaged area payment for 2013; the reason for the delay in...
- Agriculture Schemes Appeals
148. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a decision will issue on two agricultural appeals that are with the agriculture appeals office, which had oral hearings on the...
- Single Payment Scheme Payments
150. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the 2013 single farm payment will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on...
- Department of Children and Youth Affairs
- Missing Children
153. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of minors that have been reported missing from the care system nationally in 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; the number that...
- Department of Health
- Water Fluoridation
154. To ask the Minister for Health the annual cost of the fluoridation of water supplies for the constituency of Dún Laoghaire and the four local authorities of Dublin; and if he will make...
- General Practitioner Services
155. To ask the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to implementing a voucher system so that everyone will be entitled to two free visits to a doctor per year; and if he will make...
- Hospital Services
156. To ask the Minister for Health if St. Vincent's Hospital, Fairview, Dublin 3, is linked to St. Brendan's Hospital in Grangegorman; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47202/13]
- Medical Card Reviews
162. To ask the Minister for Health if he will expedite a medical card review in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47211/13]
- Hospital Appointment Delays
163. To ask the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo has not yet been called for a cataract removal operation despite the fact that they are on the waiting...
- Medical Card Reviews
164. To ask the Minister for Health if he will expedite a medical card review and award a full medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a...
- Orthodontic Services Waiting Lists
165. To ask the Minister for Health the action he will take to address the crisis in obtaining orthodontic treatment for children in the south east who on average are waiting three and a half...
- Medical Card Applications
166. To ask the Minister for Health if he will issue a discretionary medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47229/13]
- Hospital Waiting Lists
168. To ask the Minister for Health the number of patients on opthalmology waiting list in County Kerry; the average waiting time; the measures he proposes to take to address the waiting list;...
- Cochlear Implants
170. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the Health Service Executive's plans to introduce bilateral cochlear implants as standard for children that need them; and if he will...
- Tobacco Control Measures
171. To ask the Minister for Health if representatives of the retail industry and vintners will be included in discussions on the implementation of Towards a Tobacco Free Ireland; and if he will...
- Medical Card Appeals
173. To ask the Minister for Health if he will expedite a medical card review in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47271/13]
- Hospitals Capital Programme
174. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on capital works which are ongoing at St. Luke's Hospital in Kilkenny; if he will advise on a completion date and opening date for...
- Tobacco Control Measures
175. To ask the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding cigarette selling licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47303/13]
- Health Services Staff Recruitment
176. To ask the Minister for Health the number of dental nurse posts currently vacant in community care area 8; and the plans in place to fill these vacant posts. [47312/13]
- Hospital Waiting Lists
177. To ask the Minister for Health the number of consultant ophthalmologist currently working at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9; the number of persons on the waiting list to see a consultant...
- Infectious Diseases Incidence
178. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the Irish Dental Association's warning that oral piercings pose a significant risk to health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47320/13]
- Water Fluoridation
179. To ask the Minister for Health the health benefits associated with the fluoridation of water supplies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47327/13]
- Medical Card Data
180. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of the current medical card holders according to their occupation category, that is, PAYE or self employed, agricultural...
- Medical Card Eligibility
181. To ask the Minister for Health the reason an application for a medical card was refused in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Hospital Waiting Lists
183. To ask the Minister for Health if and when a surgical procedure will be arranged in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Medical Card Applications
184. To ask the Minister for Health if and when a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47356/13]
- Medical Card Eligibility
185. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical entitlement in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Tipperary. [47368/13]
- HSE Properties
190. To ask the Minister for Health his plans for a building (details supplied) in Dublin 4; if the facade will be protected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47378/13]
- Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
- Ferry Services Provision
192. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he expects to see the development and expansion of sea ferry transport from this country to various UK and-or...
- Rail Services
193. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress made towards reducing the overcrowding of DART carriages and resuming normal service; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Public Transport Provision
194. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the postition regarding the number of taxi ranks in Dublin city centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Sports Capital Programme Administration
195. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he expects to invite applications for the next round of the sports capital programme; if there will be changes to the terms and...
- The Gathering
196. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the work he and his agencies are carrying out in relation to building on the legacy of The Gathering; and if he will make a statement on...
- Bus Éireann Staff
197. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount each of the board of directors of Bus Éireann were paid per year in director fees and in expenses; and if he will make a...
- Appointments to State Boards
199. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the Minister that appointed each of board members of Bus Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47275/13]
- Road Safety Issues
200. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider reversing the change of maximum vehicle height of 4.65m in view of the fact that the vast majority of lorries...
- Road Projects Status
201. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when it is intended to commence the construction of the Gort to Tuam motorway; the reason for the delay with the project; if it is...
- Departmental Agencies Staff Recruitment
204. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the process that will be undertaken to appoint a new chief executive officer to the Road Safety Authority; and if he will provide details...
- Road Traffic Legislation
205. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of the six-month backlog to have the trailer adjustment work undertaken, if he will extend the implementation date by six months;...
- Air Services Provision
206. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which it is expected that air travel routes and options will improve as a result of the abolition of travel tax; and if he...
- Sporting Events
207. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he and his Department continue to promote the use of this country to host major international sporting events; the...
