Results 7,141-7,160 of 15,805 for speaker:Michael Ring

Tax Code. (18 Feb 2010)

Michael Ring: Question 3: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the representations he has had from rural groups on the introduction of the carbon tax on rural Ireland; the discussions he has had with regard to the need for flexibility on the way this tax is imposed on rural Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8279/10]

Tax Code. (18 Feb 2010)

Michael Ring: I was surprised that the Minister, as a member of the Cabinet, allowed rural Ireland to be attacked in the form of carbon tax. This tax is a penalty on rural Ireland. We do not have Dublin Bus, Luas, other public transport or the infrastructure in rural Ireland. Second Stage of the Finance Bill will be taken next week. I ask the Minister to contact the Minister for Finance. There should...

Tax Code. (18 Feb 2010)

Michael Ring: Would the Minister consider discussing the matter with the Minister for Finance this week with a view to getting a derogation in regard to home heating oil, particularly for farmers? Farmers' incomes are down 30% this year. I want to give the Minister another figure. Fifty per cent of people in rural areas report difficulties in accessing rural transport compared to 11% in urban areas....

Tax Code. (18 Feb 2010)

Michael Ring: There are no farmers left. They are all gone.

Community Service Programmes. (18 Feb 2010)

Michael Ring: The rural social scheme is an excellent programme. I hope the Minister will contact his colleague, the Minister for Finance, to seek additional funding so that more places can be provided on the scheme. Rising unemployment has led to increased demand and I hope the scheme will be allocated its fair share of funding. As the Minister pointed out, allowances in regard to health and safety,...

Community Service Programmes. (18 Feb 2010)

Michael Ring: I agree with Deputy Wall that it is a great scheme. Perhaps some of the funding the local authorities get should be diverted to the rural social scheme. In some cases they are doing better work than the local authorities. Perhaps the Minister might discuss that with his colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, so local authority schemes have their funding...

Community Service Programmes. (18 Feb 2010)

Michael Ring: A number of groups have made representations to me about this scheme, including many women's groups, active retirement groups, security services for the elderly, rural transport, community development and enterprise and local radio stations. They are concerned that following the cutbacks they will not be able to meet their health and safety criteria or cover their insurance. The schemes...

Departmental Expenditure. (18 Feb 2010)

Michael Ring: Deputy Durkan indicated to me that he would be present to deal with this question. As he is not here, I will pose some supplementaries in respect of it. What are the cutbacks affecting the Minister's Department that have been announced in the past hour? Is the Minister in a position to guarantee that he will do everything to protect the positions of staff who provide front line services.

Departmental Expenditure. (18 Feb 2010)

Michael Ring: This House should debate where we are going and where we have been with rural development. Has the Minister introduced Gaeltacht house grants for windows, doors and roofs again this year? Is there any hope for their introduction? I am disappointed the Minister had to cut back on the scheme where children stay in houses in the Gaeltacht. I compliment the Minister on that scheme and I...

Community Development. (18 Feb 2010)

Michael Ring: In regard to small and large Gaeltacht areas, will the Údarás na Gaeltachta elections be held this year? Will the Minister give an undertaking to the House that he will speak to the directors general of RTE and Radio na Gaeltachta about their public service obligations to broadcast Irish mass on four Sundays every year? I ask that he restore the Sunday mass to Radio na Gaeltachta.

Hospital Accommodation. (18 Feb 2010)

Michael Ring: The people of Erris are very disturbed by the rumours emanating from the HSE regarding the closure of 20 beds in the hospital in Belmullet. Erris is as big as County Louth. The people of the area depend on their hospital but the embargo on staff recruitment is creating problems. I understand Deputy Flynn stated today on local radio that the embargo would be lifted next week. I would not...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (18 Feb 2010)

Michael Ring: Question 117: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when gardaí will be replaced at a location (details supplied) in County Mayo. [8597/10]

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (18 Feb 2010)

Michael Ring: Question 142: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when jobseeker's allowance will be restored to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [8458/10]

Written Answers — Housing Aid for the Elderly: Housing Aid for the Elderly (18 Feb 2010)

Michael Ring: Question 181: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when funding will be allocated to local authorities for the housing aid for the older people scheme, the housing adaptation grant for people with a disability and the mobility aids housing grant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8552/10]

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (18 Feb 2010)

Michael Ring: Question 194: To ask the Minister for Education and Science further to Question No. 319 of 20 January 2010, when a reply will issue. [8476/10]

Written Answers — Health Service Staff: Health Service Staff (23 Feb 2010)

Michael Ring: Question 188: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will lift the embargo on nursing staff recruitment to enable nursing staff to be replaced at Belmullet District Hospital and Áras Deirbhle, Belmullet, County Mayo, to ensure that beds will not have to be closed down due to the lack of nursing staff to comply with Health Information and Quality Authority requirements; and if...

Written Answers — Health Service Staff: Health Service Staff (23 Feb 2010)

Michael Ring: Question 222: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if the Health Service Executive made an application to recruit nursing staff to Belmullet District Hospital and Áras Deirbhle, Belmullet, County Mayo following the retirement of nursing staff members; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9014/10]

Written Answers — Health Service Staff: Health Service Staff (23 Feb 2010)

Michael Ring: Question 223: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the nursing staff numbers required at Belmullet General Hospital and Áras Deirbhle, Belmullet, County Mayo when there is full bed capacity to ensure compliance with Health Information and Quality Authority standards. [9015/10]

Written Answers — Health Service Staff: Health Service Staff (23 Feb 2010)

Michael Ring: Question 224: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of nursing staff working at Belmullet District Hospital and at Áras Deirbhle, Belmullet, County Mayo; the number of nursing staff who have retired in the past twelve months; the number of nursing staff that have to be replaced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9017/10]

Written Answers — Nursing Homes Support Scheme: Nursing Homes Support Scheme (23 Feb 2010)

Michael Ring: Question 196: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when a decision will issue on the nursing home loan (ancillary State support) portion of the nursing home support scheme application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cavan; and if this matter will be expedited. [8689/10]