Written answers

Wednesday, 22 March 2006

  • Department of Social and Family Affairs
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      Question 61: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the clearance time targets set by his Department for assessing claims for the carer's allowance in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and...
    • Social Welfare Code
      Question 62: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will set up a redress board to deal with the claims of mature students regarding the back to education scheme. [10983/06]
    • National Partnership Agreement
      Question 63: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his views of the recent submission made by the Combat Poverty Agency to the social partners on a new partnership agreement; and if...
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      Question 64: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if his Department maintains statistics on the number of children born here not entitled to be in receipt of child benefit payments;...
    • Social Insurance
      Question 66: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will confirm reports that his Department has discovered a significant level of fraud involving the use of bogus PPS numbers;...
    • Social Welfare Code
      Question 67: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if his Department has carried out research into the particular barriers that social welfare claimants encounter when trying to...
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      Question 69: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if there is discretion for officials in his Department to write off overpayments made to customers; the criteria by which such...
    • Social Welfare Code
      Question 70: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position with regard to his discussions with the European Commission regarding the Government's implementation of the two year...
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      Question 72: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of persons in receipt of rent supplement; the amount paid out in rent supplement and the number of landlords to whom rent...
    • Pension Provisions
      Question 74: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress to date on the introduction of a personal pension entitlement for pensioner spouses currently in receipt of the...
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      Question 79: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his views on the level of uptake for the farm assist scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10930/06]
    • Departmental Investigations
      Question 80: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if his Department's investigation into the circumstances in which a number of civil servants are reported to have accessed the...
    • Pension Provisions
      Question 81: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the recent call from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions for a clampdown on pension abuses in the...
    • Computerisation Programme
      Question 83: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the budget allocated to information technology systems for 2004, 2005 and 2006; the increase or decrease for each year; and if he...
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      Question 84: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if there is a time target for dealing with queries from members of the public to the lo-call helpline for the people inquiring about...
    • Pension Provisions
      Question 88: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he intends to utilise the pay related social insurance mandatory pension scheme more effectively to ensure pensioners do not have...
    • Family Support Services
      Question 89: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will expand on his recent comments made at the ACCORD conference in Ballyconnell, County Cavan. [11041/06]
    • Social Welfare Code
      Question 90: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his plans to reform the eligibility criteria for disability allowance so that all people with a mental illness or disability in...
    • Social Welfare Appeals
      Question 91: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some people, whose social welfare benefits have been cut, have to wait over three...
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      Question 98: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if, when a person reaches the age of eligibility for the old age pension, his Department informs that person by letter that they are...
    • Social Welfare Code
      Question 103: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his plans to change the way in which the supplementary welfare allowance is to be administered; and if he will make a statement on...
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      Question 105: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number in receipt of farm assist, on a county basis; the average amount awarded to recipients in each county at present; and if...
    • Departmental Reports
      Question 107: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of reviews and studies undertaken by consultants or ordered from within his Department since he became Minister; the...
    • Social Welfare Code
      Question 109: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding the introduction of an all-Ireland free travel scheme; the latest discussions he has had on this issue; the...
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      Question 110: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the claim made by the director of the organisation, Caring for Carers Ireland, that thousands of...
    • Anti-Poverty Strategy
      Question 111: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if his Department is on target to achieve its NAP inclusion target of setting child benefit and child dependent allowance at...
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      Question 115: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of people who are being refused unemployment assistance/benefit on the grounds that they are not genuinely seeking work...
    • Departmental Staff
      Question 117: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of information officers employed in his Department; the location of each officer; the grade of each officer; the...
    • Social Insurance
      Question 119: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of exemptions from payment of social insurance employment contributions, for a period not exceeding 52 weeks, granted in...
    • Social Welfare Fraud
      Question 121: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he intends to respond to the recommendation of the Committee of Public Accounts that doctors who certify people as being unable...
    • Social Welfare Code
      Question 122: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding the social welfare entitlements of returned development workers, including missionaries, and in particular,...
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      Question 123: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of applicants in receipt of a one-parent family allowance; the number of such recipients who are in employment and...
    • Official Engagements
      Question 124: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will report on his official visit to Boston for St. Patrick's Day festivities; the length of his visit; the events attended;...
    • Ministerial Staff
      Question 126: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the persons appointed by him as programme managers, advisers, assistants or back-up staff either in his Department or in...
    • Social Welfare Code
      Question 128: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he intends to approach the Department of Finance regarding the anomaly that has arisen with the ability of those in receipt of...
  • Department of An Taoiseach
    • Live Register
      Question 131: To ask the Taoiseach the percentage of the present workforce in full-time employment who are over the age of 66. [11167/06]
  • Department of Health and Children
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      Question 132: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when the first payment of the early child care supplement will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter....
    • Child Care Services
      Question 135: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the extra functions that child care committees will have to fulfil following the announcement of the Government's new child...
    • Health Services
      Question 136: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when the full recommendations from the high level group on cost of long-term care, including the role of community-based...
    • Hospital Services
      Question 138: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be called for a sinus operation to Kerry General Hospital; and if she...
    • Departmental Correspondence
      Question 139: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will provide full details of all representations from or meetings she has had with any representatives of the Open...
    • Health Services
      Question 140: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will investigate the reason the Health Service Executive has not responded to letters regarding a person (details...
    • Hospital Charges
      Question 141: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo is being asked to pay a bill of €3,866.31 by Portiuncula Hospital,...
    • Health Services
      Question 142: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when a reply will be issued to correspondence (details supplied); the reason for the delay in same; and if she will make a...
    • Medical Cards
      Question 143: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of people who had medical cards in January 1997, January 2002 and January 2006 in respect of Meath, Cork city...
    • Health Services
      Question 145: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when a replacement prosthetic limb will be provided to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [11291/06]
    • Health Service Staff
      Question 146: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if employees of the Health Service Executive who took up employment before 1 April 2004 must retire on reaching age 65 in...
    • Departmental Properties
      Question 147: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if moneys received from the sale of land (details supplied) will remain in the county when the lands are sold; and if she...
    • Health Services
      Question 148: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will meet a group (details supplied) that was receiving a service that was discontinued recently; and if she will...
    • Animal Experimentation
      Question 150: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason most recent statistics on animal experimentation date from 2002; and when more up-to-date information will be...
    • Services for People with Disabilities
      Question 151: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will be facilitated with an electric wheelchair; and if she will make a...
  • Department of Finance
    • Departmental Correspondence
      Question 152: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will provide full details of all representations from or meetings he has had with any representatives of the Open Republic Institute. [11181/06]
    • Tax Collection
      Question 153: To ask the Minister for Finance if an application for tax relief for refuse charges can be processed for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a...
    • Tax Code
      Question 157: To ask the Minister for Finance the way in which child minders can avail of the €10,000 income disregard recently announced as part of the Government's child care package; the...
  • Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
    • Housing Grants
      Question 158: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his plans to grant aid the installation of solar panels and wood pellet heating systems in new houses; and the...
    • Harbours and Piers
      Question 159: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when repairs will be carried out to Scraggane Pier, Castlegregory, Tralee, County Kerry; and if he will make a...
    • Marine Tourism
      Question 160: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of projects which have been approved under the marine tourism sub-measure; the details of said...
    • Departmental Correspondence
      Question 163: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will provide full details of all representations from or meetings he has had with any representatives of...
    • Post Office Network
      Question 164: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of post offices which have closed in County Meath, Cork city and county and Tipperary since 1997; the...
  • Department of Foreign Affairs
    • Human Rights Issues
      Question 165: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is one of the 37 Ministers for Foreign Affairs within the 46 strong membership of the Council of Europe who reported to have received a...
    • Departmental Correspondence
      Question 166: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide full details of all representations from or meetings he has had with any representatives of the Open Republic Institute....
    • Visa Applications
      Question 167: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a holiday visa will be issued to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11310/06]
  • Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism
    • Departmental Correspondence
      Question 168: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will provide full details of all representations from or meetings he has had with any representatives of the Open Republic...
  • Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
    • National Minimum Wage
      Question 169: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the percentage increase in real terms in the national minimum wage between its introduction in 2000 and March 2006. [11168/06]
    • Arms Exports
      Question 170: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to reports that dual use components manufactured here and used in hellfire missiles, may...
    • Departmental Correspondence
      Question 171: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide full details of all representations from or meetings he has had with any representatives of the Open...
    • Health and Safety Regulations
      Question 172: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will supply the full answer in respect of Question No. 435 of 7 March 2006 with particular reference to the matter...
    • Job Losses
      Question 173: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of private sector job losses in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 in respect of Meath, Cork city and county and...
    • Community Employment Schemes
      Question 174: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of people employed on community employment schemes in January 2002 and in January 2006 in respect of Meath, Cork...
  • Department of Social and Family Affairs
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      Question 175: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the cost per annum to the Exchequer of raising the social welfare pension by 1% of average industrial earnings. [11315/06]
    • Departmental Correspondence
      Question 177: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will provide full details of all representations from or meetings he has had with any representatives of the Open Republic...
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      Question 178: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if the carers benefit will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [11290/06]
    • Pension Provisions
      Question 179: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the measures he has put in place in his past two budgets to protect and improve the income of retired workers; and if he will make...
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      Question 180: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will substantially increase the amount women in receipt of deserted wife's benefit are allowed to earn in employment before...
    • Social Welfare Code
      Question 184: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his views on improving the system of assessing entitlement to rent support having particular regard to hardship caused to potential...
  • Department of Transport
    • Departmental Correspondence
      Question 191: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will provide full details of all representations from or meetings he has had with any representatives of the Open Republic Institute. [11187/06]
    • Rail Services
      Question 192: To ask the Minister for Transport the exact proposed location of the Spencer Dock station; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the new location suggested in recent...
    • Airport Development Projects
      Question 195: To ask the Minister for Transport if he intends to hold a meeting with appropriate Members of the Oireachtas in regard to the future of Cork Airport; and if so, when. [11367/06]
  • Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs
    • Departmental Correspondence
      Question 196: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will provide full details of all representations from or meetings he has had with any representatives of the...
    • Rural Social Scheme
      Question 197: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs further to Question No. 400 of 7 March 2006, the proposed changes which impact on the Department of Social and Family...
    • Community Development
      Question 198: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount of funding provided to community projects under the community development programme from 2002 to 2005; the...
  • Department of Agriculture and Food
    • Ministerial Appointments
      Question 203: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason three additional trustees were appointed to the board of Kilconnell Cow Park, Ballinasloe, County Galway; her plans for the...
    • Farm Retirement Scheme
      Question 204: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she proposes to remove the off-farm income limit for transferees in the revised farm retirement scheme which she will announce...
    • Departmental Correspondence
      Question 205: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will provide full details of all representations from or meetings she has had with any representatives of the Open Republic...
    • Milk Quota
      Question 206: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her views on the allocation of a special funding package from the national reserve for dairy farmers with quotas of less than 30,000...
    • Grant Payments
      Question 207: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food when the single farm payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter....
    • Grant Payments
      Question 209: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if her attention has been drawn to the difficulties being experienced by a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; her views on...
    • Agricultural Buildings
      Question 211: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if her Department is in support of a building (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11320/06]
    • Sugar Beet Industry
      Question 213: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if her attention has been drawn to the plight of contractors and hauliers; the action she intends to take to assist these persons...
    • Animal Welfare
      Question 214: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if her attention has been drawn to published legislation in the United Kingdom which seeks to restrict the species of animal that can be...
  • Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform
    • Garda Personnel
      Question 215: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of civilian personnel employed in the Garda Síochána; the percentage of personnel made up of civilians; if this...
    • Visa Applications
      Question 216: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if, further to Question No. 38 of 9 March 2006, he will confirm that a person (details supplied) who entered here as an...
    • Child Care Services
      Question 217: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a further grant could be provided for the construction of a crèche facility at information technology Tralee north...
    • Departmental Correspondence
      Question 218: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will provide full details of all representations from or meetings he has had with any representatives of the Open...
    • Closed Circuit Television Systems
      Question 219: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of applications received from projects based in County Meath, Cork city and county and Tipperary for the...
    • Legal Aid Service
      Question 221: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of persons on the waiting list and the average length of the waiting time for free legal aid at the Navan Law...
    • Garda Strength
      Question 222: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí attached to each station in County Meath, Cork city and county and Tipperary for each year from...
    • Child Care Services
      Question 223: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the amount of funding allocated under the equal opportunities child care programme from 2000 to 2005; and the amount of...
    • Land Registry
      Question 224: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for registration by a person (details supplied) in County Galway under a dealing...
    • Citizenship Applications
      Question 226: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for registration by a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make...
    • Asylum Applications
      Question 227: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the arrangements in place by his Department to accommodate persons who enter here as asylum seekers; the payments which are...
    • Work Permits
      Question 228: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the entry requirements which citizens of the Chinese Republic have to fulfil to work here; and if he will make a statement...
    • Garda Stations
      Question 229: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the Garda Síochána will tender or advertise for positions to be filled for the cleaning of Garda stations; the...
    • Deportation Orders
      Question 230: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of US citizens issued with deportation orders since 2002 who still remain here. [11364/06]
    • Citizenship Applications
      Question 231: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his policy of denying naturalisation to applicants who have availed of social welfare within the past three years will be...
    • Garda Equipment
      Question 232: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will provide a full list of the Garda stations that had audiovisual interviewing equipment at the time of the...
  • Department of Education and Science
    • School Staffing
      Question 233: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if a special allowance will be made in terms of staffing levels for a school (details supplied) in County Carlow which had 144 on the...
    • Disadvantaged Status
      Question 234: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when a decision will be made regarding disadvantaged status for primary schools; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a...
    • School Staffing
      Question 235: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her Department will consider a fourth teacher for a school (details supplied) in County Wexford in view of the fact that it has a...
    • Schools Building Projects
      Question 236: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason a school (details supplied) in County Carlow was not offered a devolved grant even though it is a three teacher school and...
    • School Services Staff
      Question 238: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will transfer the payment of school secretaries and part-time secretaries to the Department of Education and Science in order...
    • Schools Building Projects
      Question 239: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her Department has considered a second post-primary school for Gorey town; the stage planning is at; and if she will make a...
    • Departmental Correspondence
      Question 240: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will provide full details of all representations from or meetings she has had with any representatives of the Open Republic...
    • Higher Education Grants
      Question 241: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the grants available to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare in regard to the person's career; and if she will make a...
    • Pupil-Teacher Ratio
      Question 242: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the names and addresses of all primary schools in Meath, Cork city and county and Tipperary; the number of pupils per school; and the...
    • Schools Building Projects
      Question 243: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the progress that has been made on the provision of a new national school, in Dromore West, County Sligo (details supplied); and if she...
    • Special Educational Needs
      Question 244: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason for not assigning a resource teacher to assist a child (details supplied) in County Tipperary; if she will reverse this...
    • Schools Refurbishment
      Question 245: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if consideration will be given to an application by a school (details supplied) in County Galway for an additional grant to complete...
    • North-South Co-operation
      Question 246: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the name of the person who sits on the National Youth Council of Ireland North-South endorsement panel for youth work training; and the...
    • Higher Education Grants
      Question 248: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if a detailed re-examination of an application for a higher education grant will be arranged for a person (details supplied) in Dublin...
    • Schools Building Projects
      Question 249: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when permission will be given to proceed with stage three of a building refurbishment programme for a school (details supplied) in...
    • School Accommodation
      Question 250: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding an application (details supplied); the stage the application of intent is at; when the person will hear from her...
    • Schools Building Projects
      Question 251: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position with an application for funding for additional facilities for a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary. [11313/06]
    • Special Educational Needs
      Question 253: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the supports and resources her Department offers third level institutions in the Cork region, in particular colleges of further...
    • School Enrolments
      Question 254: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason for the decision to limit enrolment in the new primary school in Cherry Orchard (details supplied) to early education,...
  • Department of Defence
    • Departmental Correspondence
      Question 255: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will provide full details of all representations from or meetings he has had with any representatives of the Open Republic Institute. [11192/06]
  • Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government
    • Greenhouse Gas Emissions
      Question 256: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if it is true that Shell intends to cold leak approximately 238,000 kg of methane gas in the Irish...
    • Tribunals of Inquiry
      Question 257: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the Attorney General on behalf of the Government has had discussions with the Tribunal of Inquiry into...
    • Departmental Correspondence
      Question 258: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will provide full details of all representations from or meetings he has had with any representatives of...
    • Water and Sewerage Schemes
      Question 259: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding a project (details supplied) in County Mayo; the stages this project has gone through;...
    • Social and Affordable Housing
      Question 260: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of social and affordable houses built or acquired under Part V of the Planning and Development Acts...
    • Local Authority Housing
      Question 261: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the longest waiting time for applicants on the housing list; and the average waiting time for applicants on...
    • Noise Regulations
      Question 262: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the regulations in place which can be invoked by residents who are living beside blocks of student apartments,...
    • Vehicle Registration
      Question 263: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason the NCTS reports that it takes up to one year for it to receive notification of a change of vehicle...
    • Traveller Accommodation
      Question 264: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on Waterford City Council including in its new Traveller accommodation programme a stipulation that...
    • Local Government
      Question 266: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if members of a town council are obliged to receive regular written reports on works undertaken by the...
    • Water Quality
      Question 267: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the actions his Department has taken regarding the high levels of aluminium found in drinking water in...
    • Archaeological Sites
      Question 268: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his proposals regarding a full excavation of the Viking site at Woodstown, County Waterford; and if he will...