Written answers

Thursday, 15 February 2007

  • Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism
    • Stadium Projects
      Question 11: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position regarding the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road following the stadium's closure at the end of 2006; when the demolition of...
    • National Development Plan
      Question 14: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will comment on the money allocated for projects under his Department and under the National Development Plan 2007 to 2013; the...
    • Sport and Recreational Development
      Question 15: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will report on the progress made in carrying out a national audit of sports facilities and services. [5663/07]
    • National Theatre
      Question 16: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if the international design competition for the proposed new national theatre announced by him on 7 September 2006 has been...
    • Greyhound Racing Industry
      Question 17: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if his attention has been drawn to a recent warning from a veterinary inspector with the Department of Agriculture and Food that...
    • Tourism Industry
      Question 18: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the status of the tourism policy review group and the tourism action plan implementation group; and if he will make a statement on...
    • Proposed Legislation
      Question 19: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position regarding the legislation being drafted to implement the key recommendations made in the Dalton report; when the...
    • Swimming Pool Projects
      Question 23: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if restrictions were placed on the number of swimming pool projects per county in the current swimming pool programme for which...
    • Access to Cultural Institutions
      Question 24: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if the national cultural institutions such as the National Gallery, the National Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, the National...
    • Sports Funding
      Question 26: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will clarify the details of the recent round of funding for sports facilities at the University of Limerick and Grove Island...
    • Arts Funding
      Question 27: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he, independently, will offer grant aid to community based groups involved in musical or theatrical productions thereby...
    • National Aquatic Centre
      Question 28: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if the full check and assessment of the entire facility at the National Aquatic Centre is complete; the outcome of this assessment;...
    • National Conference Centre
      Question 32: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position regarding the proposed national conference centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5708/07]
    • Arts Education
      Question 34: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position regarding the work of the committee established to devise a strategy for closer links between education and the arts;...
    • Sports Funding
      Question 35: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the details of the Government offer to make €5 million available to the GAA to improve player welfare; if he has had discussions...
    • Art Collections
      Question 36: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will clarify the future plans for the art collection of the Great Southern Hotels that is entrusted to the care of the State;...
    • Tourism Promotion
      Question 37: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his plans for county tourism committees; if he will clarify the future role of these committees and if he is considering winding them...
    • Sport and Recreational Development
      Question 38: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the degree to which he intends or expects to offer funding to local community, sporting or recreational groups who provide facilities...
  • Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform
    • Visa Applications
      Question 39: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will extend the visitors visa of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 in order that they can remain...
    • Garda Investigations
      Question 40: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will consult with the Garda Commissioner and ensure that a structured arrangement is put in place to...
    • Residency Permits
      Question 42: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will issue a letter confirming the status of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford. [5769/07]
    • Crime Levels
      Question 45: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of offences committed by persons on bail for each of the years 2002 to 2006. [5870/07]
    • Road Traffic Accidents
      Question 46: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of times in 2005 and 2006 that gardaí were called to attend road accidents on a road (details...
    • Asylum Applications
      Question 47: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the expected position in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22; and if he will make a statement...
    • Residency Permits
      Question 50: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if and when a further application for family reunification will be entertained in the case of a person...
    • Visa Applications
      Question 52: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will alter the rules relating to work visas for US citizens in view of the fact that the same is being...
    • Prisoner Releases
      Question 53: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has proposals for the early release of the killers of Garda Jerry McCabe; and if he will make a...
  • Department of Finance
    • Tax Code
      Question 54: To ask the Minister for Finance if the Revenue Commissioners will review in detail the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12; if they will ensure that every possible...
    • Consultancy Contracts
      Question 55: To ask the Minister for Finance the amount of expenditure on consultancy by the Revenue Commissioners in 2003, 2004 and 2005; the number of consultants engaged by the Revenue...
    • Flood Relief
      Question 56: To ask the Minister for Finance the progress made to date in the implementation of the flood relief measures in Fermoy, County Cork. [5814/07]
    • Tax Code
      Question 57: To ask the Minister for Finance if persons (details supplied) in County Cork who have purchased a farm in joint names can qualify for the stamp duty exemption; and if further time...
    • Proposed Legislation
      Question 59: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will amend the Finance Bill to facilitate persons who have completed their 180 hour course for their green certificate but have not completed...
    • Tax Yield
      Question 60: To ask the Minister for Finance the estimated amount of income tax payable annually by permanent residents on Ireland's offshore islands. [5869/07]
    • Tax Code
      Question 61: To ask the Minister for Finance the tax expenditure currently being foregone through the tax relief of private pension plans; the average tax relief given per individual; and the...
  • Department of Health and Children
    • Health Services
      Question 62: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her plans to expand the availability of defibrillators throughout the rural communities through the existing Red Cross network or another...
    • Child Care Services
      Question 63: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of childminders who availed of the income tax exemption scheme in 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5881/07]
    • Health Services
      Question 64: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position of the provision of home care packages; the procedure that an applicant must adhere to; the mechanism of payment and the way...
    • Care of the Elderly
      Question 65: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her Department will provide funding to a centre (details supplied) in County Clare for a dementia unit; and if she will make a...
    • Mental Health Services
      Question 66: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if there are plans to provide funding to a centre (details supplied) in County Wexford which provides counselling services and deals with...
    • Hospital Services
      Question 67: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the hospitals here which have had PACS implemented; when Mayo General Hospital can expect implementation of this service; and if she will...
    • Health Promotion
      Question 70: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the policies she has in place to encourage active and healthy lifestyles amongst the over 60s; and if she will make a statement on the...
    • Health Services
      Question 71: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will be taken off the waiting list for orthodontic services and receive treatment. [5834/07]
    • Health Service Staff
      Question 75: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if a co-ordinator has been appointed by the Health Service Executive west to take executive responsibility for whatever proposals are...
    • Services for People with Disabilities
      Question 76: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason the model of care for children services in County Galway arising out of the implementation of the Disability Act 2005 and the...
    • Health Repayment Scheme
      Question 77: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when a decision will be made on the application made for recoupment of nursing home charges to a person (details supplied) in County...
    • Medical Cards
      Question 78: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when a medical card will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5852/07]
    • Child Care Services
      Question 79: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason a group (details supplied) in County Roscommon has been refused a staffing grant under the equal opportunities child care...
    • Pre-School Inspections
      Question 81: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the progress to date in making pre-school inspection reports available on-line to the public; when this initiative will be up and...
    • National Children Strategy
      Question 82: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if the national children's strategy has been implemented in full; the sections of the strategy which remain to be implemented; the...
    • Hospital Accommodation
      Question 83: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of beds and the bed capacity available at a hospital (details supplied) in County Galway; the number of beds that were at this...
    • Ambulance Service
      Question 86: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of times in 2005 and 2006 that emergency services were called to attend road accidents on a road (details supplied) in County...
    • Health Services
      Question 87: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if the Health Service Executive will refer a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny to a service for inclusion in a long-term...
    • Medical Cards
      Question 90: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if a decision has been taken on improving the qualifying thresholds for medical and doctor visit cards; if so, the new thresholds; and if...
    • Health Services
      Question 91: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of persons in need of long-term care who have been moved directly from a Dublin hospital (details supplied) to care homes...
  • Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
    • Harbours and Piers
      Question 92: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position in relation to a project (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on...
    • Telecommunications Services
      Question 93: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will designate the digital hub as a location of best practice for the roll out of metropolitan area...
    • Natural Gas Grid
      Question 95: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if gas will be supplied to towns (details supplied) in County Galway; if same has been approved; if An Bord...
  • Department of Foreign Affairs
    • Foreign Conflicts
      Question 96: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will call on the US government to investigate the terrorist activities of groups infiltrated by the five Cuban agents known as the...
  • Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism
    • Sports Capital Programme
      Question 102: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position regarding an application by a centre (details supplied) in County Galway for funding under the recreational facilities...
    • Swimming Pool Projects
      Question 104: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position in relation to the application for grant aid for a project (details supplied) in Co. Galway; if his Department has...
    • National Lottery Funding
      Question 105: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the amount awarded or spent by his Department for various projects throughout the country from the proceeds of the national lottery...
    • Tourism Promotion
      Question 107: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the extent to which he will offer assistance towards community based tourism promotion groups; and if he will make a statement on...
    • Sport and Recreational Development
      Question 108: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of applications for grant aid for the development of sporting and recreational facilities in County Kildare in respect of...
    • Decentralisation Programme
      Question 109: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the full extent of his Department's decentralisation programme to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5929/07]
    • Stadium Projects
      Question 112: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position in regard to the development of the national stadium at Abbotstown; the costs to date; and if he will make a statement...
  • Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
    • Work Permits
      Question 114: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the protection there is for applicants with work permits where their employers submit their applications for renewal of the...
    • Industrial Development
      Question 115: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the lands owned by the IDA for industrial or commercial purposes in locations (details supplied); and if he will make a...
  • Department of Social and Family Affairs
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      Question 127: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare is in receipt of all of their entitlements; and if he will make a statement on...
    • Pension Provisions
      Question 128: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his progress on the production of a Green Paper on pensions; when he expects to publish same; and if he will make a statement on...
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      Question 129: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 189 of 31 January 2007, the weekly cost of all family income supplement payments; the...
  • Department of Transport
    • Decentralisation Programme
      Question 134: To ask the Minister for Transport the progress made in relation to decentralisation (details supplied) in County Galway; the number of people seeking transfer; the site of the new...
    • Air Services
      Question 136: To ask the Minister for Transport if he is satisfied that adequate resources are available to the Irish Aviation Authority to provide the appropriate level and quality of oversight...
    • Public Transport
      Question 138: To ask the Minister for Transport the public transport services that serve Ballaghdereen town; if there is a bus service from the town connecting with the Mayo rail service; if...
    • Road Safety
      Question 139: To ask the Minister for Transport the number of road traffic accidents that were recorded on a road (details supplied) in County Galway in 2005 and 2006; and if he will make a...
  • Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs
    • Architectural Heritage
      Question 140: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the grant aid available to a person (details supplied) in County Cork to carry out works to their shop front which...
    • Community Development
      Question 141: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his attention has been drawn to an application by a centre (details supplied) in County Galway for funding under...
  • Department of Agriculture and Food
    • Grant Payments
      Question 142: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a single farm payment for 2006 will be made available to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry. [5745/07]
    • Veterinary Inspection Service
      Question 143: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of veterinary inspectors in her Department's special investigation units; the inspection levels carried out by this unit...
    • Animal Welfare
      Question 144: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if animal cruelty legislation applies to the act of prescribing harmful substances to race animals; the penalties that apply; and the...
    • EU Directives
      Question 145: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the process involved for a farmer seeking a derogation under the nitrates directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter....
    • Departmental Expenditure
      Question 147: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the amount of expenditure on outsourcing by her Department in 2003, 2004 and 2005; the numbers of outsourcing contracts initiated by...
    • Grant Payments
      Question 148: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food when payment under the 2006 single farm payment scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [5825/07]
    • Sugar Beet Industry
      Question 149: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will confirm that payment of Labour Court recommendations to farm workers in Mallow was committed to in Greencore's application...
    • Farm Waste Management
      Question 151: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if, under the farm waste management scheme, grant assistance is provided to construct farm roadways; and if she will make a statement...
    • Flood Relief
      Question 152: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will provide a hardship fund for landowners with land flooded for over three months in winter 2006/2007; and if she will make a...
    • Farm Retirement Scheme
      Question 153: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food when the new farm retirement scheme will be operational; and the date from which it will be effective. [5864/07]
    • Grant Payments
      Question 154: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food when payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary under the 2006 scheme. [5884/07]
    • Noxious Weeds
      Question 155: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will take steps to ensure that local authorities and other State and semi State organisations, take steps at a management level...
    • Grant Payments
      Question 156: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the stage of the application to transfer single farm entitlements for persons (details supplied) in County Wexford; if the application...
  • Department of Education and Science
    • School Accommodation
      Question 157: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of temporary classrooms which have been sanctioned by her Department to national schools under the rental of temporary...
    • Higher Education Grants
      Question 160: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will make a statement on the case of a person (details supplied); her views on the fact that if this student did not pass their...
    • School Transport
      Question 161: To ask the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 1726 of 31 January 2007, if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the maps received from...
    • In-service Training
      Question 162: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason the project involving the Ionad Náisiúnta Oideachais at Ballyvourney, County Cork, has not commenced in view of the many...
    • School Staffing
      Question 163: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason certain teachers in a school in (details supplied) in County Waterford have no contract or terms and conditions after being...
    • School Closures
      Question 165: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if, further to her response to Parliamentary Question No. 549 of 21 November 2006, she will outline the outcome of an examination her...
    • Third Level Students
      Question 166: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of Irish students studying abroad; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5892/07]
    • National Drugs Strategy
      Question 168: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if, in view on the extent and complexity of the drug problem here and the importance of education as a strategy to prevent misuse, the...
    • Student Accommodation
      Question 170: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the guidelines that must apply to student accommodation which qualifies for relief under section 372 of the Tax Consolidation Act...
    • Higher Education Grants
      Question 171: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if or when children whose parents are foreign nationals in full time employment can qualify for third level education having...
    • Special Educational Needs
      Question 172: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if access to a special needs assistant will be provided for a child (details supplied) in County Wexford; if the contents of the...
    • Schools Refurbishment
      Question 173: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will provide funding under the summer works scheme for a play area for a school (details supplied) in County Limerick which has...
    • School Enrolment
      Question 174: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if a school can refuse admission to a pupil within its catchment area but where siblings did not attend the school; and if she will...
  • Department of Defence
    • Departmental Staff
      Question 175: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will confirm that staff in his constituency office in his Department were engaged in making phone calls extending seasons greetings on his...
  • Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government
    • National Heritage
      Question 176: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the national monuments, historic properties and national heritage that are recognised or in State care in...
    • National Parks and Wildlife Service
      Question 178: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress that the wildlife rangers have made over the past five years; the number of wildlife rangers in...
    • Special Areas of Conservation
      Question 179: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if turf-cutting will be permitted or restricted in special areas of conservation under the habitats...
    • Water and Sewerage Schemes
      Question 180: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason for the delay in allowing Castleisland sewerage scheme stage two to go to tender in view of the...
    • Architectural Heritage
      Question 181: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the grant aid available to a person (details supplied) in County Cork to carry out works to their shop front...
    • Grant Payments
      Question 182: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the thatched roof grant scheme is on operation; and if he will arrange to forward two application forms to...
    • Bog Purchases
      Question 183: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason for the delay in processing an application to purchase bog by a person (details supplied) in...
    • Ministerial Correspondence
      Question 184: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government further to correspondence from a person (details supplied) in County Mayo, if he will furnish a detailed...
    • Water and Sewerage Schemes
      Question 185: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he expects the construction of the main Kinsale sewerage plant at Comnogue, Kinsale to commence and to...
    • Register of Electors
      Question 187: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if Irish students who are studying abroad will be facilitated to vote in the forthcoming general election;...
    • Water and Sewerage Schemes
      Question 189: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the provision of an upgraded sewerage scheme for Dromcollogher, County Limerick. [5922/07]
    • Local Authority Housing
      Question 190: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the guidelines that exist for local authorities installing or retrofitting heating systems in their housing...