Written answers
Thursday, 4 October 2007
- Department of Defence
- Defence Forces Personnel
Question 13: To ask the Minister for Defence the progress made to date on developing the commission from the ranks programme; and his proposals to continue this development. [21984/07]
- White Paper on Defence
Question 15: To ask the Minister for Defence the work that has been carried out in regard to the preparation of a second White Paper on Defence for the period 2011 to 2020. [21979/07]
- Defence Forces Equipment
Question 16: To ask the Minister for Defence the proposals he has in order for Irish troops to have the most modern and effective range of protective equipment, weaponry and training available....
- Defence Forces Strength
Question 17: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will take a position on shorter tours of duty and optional overseas service, two steps that would likely increase recruitment and retention,...
- Army Deafness Claims
Question 18: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of Army deafness claims that have been processed to date; the number of claims outstanding; the payment to claimants to date; the costs...
- Defence Forces Report
Question 19: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will make a statement on the recent publication of the 2006 annual report of his Department and the Defence Forces. [21991/07]
- Child Care Services
Question 20: To ask the Minister for Defence the progress, in view of the Government's policy on family friendly workplaces that has been made on providing childcare facilities in the Curragh...
- Retention Rates
Question 22: To ask the Minister for Defence the rates of retention for male and female members of the Defence Forces including separate rates for officers. [22091/07]
- Defence Forces Allowances
Question 23: To ask the Minister for Defence if, in view of his statement to the PDFORRA ADC in 2006 that if a claim for an increase in overseas allowances was submitted it would be viewed...
- Overseas Missions
Question 24: To ask the Minister for Defence the percentage of the normal annual leave allowance for each category lost by senior officers and enlisted personnel respectively on foot of serving...
- Maritime Safety
Question 25: To ask the Minister for Defence the action he has taken to promote greater cooperation and knowledge sharing between the Coastguard, the Navy and Air Corps to ensure that the waters...
- Defence Forces Reserve
Question 26: To ask the Minister for Defence, further to Parliamentary Question No. 562 of 6 February 2007, the number of promotion competitions in the Reserve Defence Forces which he said would...
- Decentralisation Programme
Question 29: To ask the Minister for Defence the progress made to date with regard to the planned decentralisation of the Defence Forces headquarters to the Curragh, and his Department to...
- Civil Defence Board
Question 30: To ask the Minister for Defence his proposals to support the work of the Civil Defence and to encourage increased membership of the Civil Defence. [21987/07]
- Overseas Missions
Question 31: To ask the Minister for Defence the arrangements for medical care made for the spouses of Defence Forces personnel who accompany them on accompanied overseas missions where the...
- Defence Forces Personnel
Question 32: To ask the Minister for Defence if, in view of the report on low morale in the Naval Service one year ago and the plan to patrol 1680 days per annum that would require 40 to 60...
- Military Investigations
Question 33: To ask the Minister for Defence if the investigation has been completed into the appearance on a website of a video showing Irish troops appearing to point weapons at civilians in...
- Defence Forces Recruitment
Question 34: To ask the Minister for Defence his plans to encourage the recruitment to the Defence Forces of people from a broader range of ethnic and cultural backgrounds; and if he will make a...
- Defence Forces Reserve
Question 35: To ask the Minister for Defence the success of the regular and targeted recruitment campaigns in regard to recruitment to the Reserve Defence Forces. [21982/07]
- Overseas Missions
Question 36: To ask the Minister for Defence the extent and expected strength and location of future deployments of Irish Defence Forces on UN missions; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Defence Forces Reserve
Question 37: To ask the Minister for Defence the progress made to date regarding the execution of the Reserve Defence Forces implementation plan. [21981/07]
- Defence Forces Retirement Scheme
Question 38: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will provide annual subventions to support and encourage the work of the officially recognised veterans groups ONET and INUVA in 2008. [21986/07]
- Defence Forces Equipment
Question 39: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will make a statement on the purchase by the Defence Forces of drones from the Israeli army. [22094/07]
- Overseas Missions
Question 41: To ask the Minister for Defence when the planned reconnaissance mission will be sent to Chad; when a final decision will be made on whether to send an Irish contingent to the...
- Army Equitation School
Question 43: To ask the Minister for Defence his plans for the further expansion and development of the Army Equitation School; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22001/07]
- Defence Forces Medical Corps
Question 44: To ask the Minister for Defence the progress made to date in regard to the development of the role and contribution of the Medical Corps and the expansion of its capacity to deliver...
- Equality Issues
Question 45: To ask the Minister for Defence the way he is addressing the concerns of female long-term members and NCOs, as regards the unequal potential for promotion, the anti-social hours and...
- Defence Forces Investigations
Question 46: To ask the Minister for Defence if the investigation has been completed into a road accident near Granard, County Longford in June 2007, involving an Army truck, in which 14...
- National Archives
Question 47: To ask the Minister for Defence his proposals to make available to historians and to the public, records of the military pensions archive in his Department. [21975/07]
- Compensation Claims
Question 49: To ask the Minister for Defence the amount paid out in compensation payments and legal fees, arising from injury or illness claims by members of the Defence Forces in respect of...
- Civilianisation Programme
Question 50: To ask the Minister for Defence his proposals to fast track the civilianisation of all outstanding agreed posts in the Defence Forces. [21978/07]
- Defence Forces Review
Question 51: To ask the Minister for Defence the steps that have been taken to implement the recommendation of the Reserve Defence Force Review Implementation Board Report, which was accepted by...
- Defence Forces Property
Question 52: To ask the Minister for Defence the arrangements in place for the use of Army firing ranges by the members of An Garda Síochána; the extent of such usage; if indoor firing...
- Department of Finance
- Tax Code
Question 53: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the guidelines that determine seized vehicles not complying with his Department's road tax directives (details supplied); and if he...
- Decentralisation Programme
Question 54: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the progress of the site acquisition process for the development of the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs at...
- Tax Code
Question 55: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a substantial number of first time home buyers completed the purchase of properties...
- Flood Relief
Question 57: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the position regarding the flood relief scheme for the Waterford/Tramore Road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22228/07]
- Tax Code
Question 58: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the courses a person must undertake and have appropriate qualifications in, in order to avail of the stamp duty exemption regarding...
- Department of Health and Children
- Health Services
Question 60: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if the home help being provided to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be increased. [22145/07]
- Health Service Allowances
Question 63: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the amount paid by the Health Service Executive for taxis under all headings in County Louth in 2006; the amount paid to each named firm...
- Nursing Homes Repayment Scheme
Question 64: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when the nursing home refund application will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal. [22177/07]
- Health Service Allowances
Question 65: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the situation with regard to domiciliary care allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; if she will arrange for...
- National Lottery Funding
Question 66: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the status, further to correspondence (details supplied), of the application for lottery funding; if she will approve the funds required;...
- Office of Tobacco Control
Question 67: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the status of the Board of the Office of Tobacco Control which was appointed in 2002 for a five year term; when its term of office will...
- Hospital Services
Question 68: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the arrangements made for the public use of the bone density machine that is currently located in St. Joseph's Hospital, Sligo, which was...
- Health Service Staff
Question 69: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the job description of each of the nine national directors and the 61 assistant national directors within the Health Service Executive;...
- Department of Transport
- Road Network
Question 70: To ask the Minister for Transport and the Marine if he will confirm that his Department has received a submission from Mayo County Council in respect of funding relating to the R312...
- Local Authority Funding
Question 71: To ask the Minister for Transport and the Marine the reason tertiary grants have been discontinued by the various local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Rail Services
Question 72: To ask the Minister for Transport and the Marine the strategic plan for investment in the east coast commuter rail service for 2007, 2008 and 2009 in view of the deployment of the...
- Public Transport
Question 73: To ask the Minister for Transport and the Marine the reason for the delay in issuing a licence for the Arklow-Dublin airport bus service. [22261/07]
- Department of Foreign Affairs
- Emigrant Support Services
Question 74: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding the undocumented Irish in the US; the position regarding their legal status; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Passport Applications
Question 75: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the difficulties being experienced by Irish citizens abroad anxious to renew their passports due to the closing down for long...
- Foreign Conflicts
Question 76: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding the conflict resolution unit and the work carried out to date. [22167/07]
- Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
- Work Permits
Question 77: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason a person (details supplied) was not granted a work permit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22241/07]
- Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism
- Arts Council
Question 79: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will support the Arts Council request for an increase in funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22172/07]
- Department of Social and Family Affairs
- Social Welfare Benefits
Question 80: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when the arrears due to a person (details supplied) in County Galway since January 2006 will be awarded; the amount of the current...
- Social Welfare Appeals
Question 81: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the outcome of a carers allowance appeal by a person (details suppled) in County Mayo. [22164/07]
- Social Welfare Benefits
Question 82: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if the family income supplement will be renewed for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo in view of the fact that their...
- Department of Education and Science
- Radon Remediation Programme
Question 87: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the works being carried out in 2007 on radon remediation measures in primary and secondary schools. [22216/07]
- Special Educational Needs
Question 88: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason the National Council for Special Education has failed to approve special educational needs resource hours for children at a...
- Schools Refurbishment
Question 89: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when funding will be made available to a school (details supplied) in Dublin 22 to purchase canteen furniture and seating for students...
- School Enrolments
Question 90: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the grounds on which it is morally or legally right for a child (details supplied) in County Longford to be refused entry to three...
- School Transport
Question 91: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kildare is not in receipt of a free bus pass; and if she will make a statement on the...
- School Enrolments
Question 92: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the numbers enrolled in each of the three schools that opened at Adamstown in September 2007; and the numbers enrolled in each school...
- Pension Provisions
Question 93: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her views on whether following the transfer to her Department of the regulatory function in respect of superannuation schemes for...
- Schools Building Projects
Question 95: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the progress of the building project at a school (details supplied) in County Mayo. [22229/07]
- Schools Recognition
Question 96: To ask the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 42 and 97 of 22 March 2007 and No. 563 of 27 March 2007, if she has decided if a change to...
- Site Acquisitions
Question 97: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when a site inspection will be carried out at a school (details supplied) in County Kerry for the provision of a permanent school; and...
- Special Educational Needs
Question 98: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will provide funding for a special needs assistant for a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon to assist them on days...
- Schools Amalgamation
Question 99: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to the proposed amalgamated new community school for Skibbereen in west Cork; and the position in relation to...
- Site Acquisitions
Question 100: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she has concluded the purchase of a primary school site in Tyrellstown, Dublin 15; and if she will make a statement on the matter....
- Schools Building Projects
Question 101: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when she will apply for planning permission for permanent school buildings for a school (details supplied) in Dublin 15; the number of...
- School Placement
Question 104: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the mechanisms in place to monitor the number of children who do not get a place in primary or secondary school and to ensure that...
- Teaching Posts
Question 106: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if there are Ministers who are currently receiving payment from her Department for teaching posts which they have vacated; the names...
- Department of Defence
- Overseas Missions
Question 107: To ask the Minister for Defence the extent to which agreement has been reached in relation to Ireland's participation in EU battlegroups of rapid response forces; and if he will...
- Defence Forces Property
Question 109: To ask the Minister for Defence the costs including security, insurance or other costs to date associated with the military installations decommissioned in 1998; and if he will...
- Defence Forces Equipment
Question 112: To ask the Minister for Defence if he has satisfied himself that all members of the Army, Navy and Air Corp have been issued with modern personal safety equipment including...
- Overseas Missions
Question 116: To ask the Minister for Defence if he has satisfied himself that adequate health and safety regulations and conditions apply at the various overseas locations at which Irish troops...
- Naval Service
Question 117: To ask the Minister for Defence if there are, and the number of, officers in the Naval Service who hold rank or are assigned to a ship that does not exist or is no longer in...
- Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform
- Departmental Investigations
Question 118: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the Stardust inquiry; and the money spent, staff employed and progress to date. [22170/07]
- Asylum Applications
Question 119: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the waiting times for asylum applications with a breakdown of the average waiting time for an unsuccessful application for...
- Citizenship Applications
Question 120: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the waiting times for certificate of naturalisation applications; the number of people awaiting a decision under this...
- Residency Permits
Question 122: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when there will be a decision on an application to remain on humanitarian grounds by a person (details supplied) in County...
- Private Residential Tenancies Board
Question 123: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of applications and their categories presently awaiting determination by the Residential Tenancies Board; if his...
- Irish Sign Language
Question 124: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if, in the context of equality for persons with a disability, he will recommend to the Government that steps be taken to...
- Garda Equipment
Question 125: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the decision to prohibit the wearing of a turban and consequently prohibit members of the Sikh community from...
- Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government
- Local Authority Staff
Question 126: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of local authorities that have animal welfare officers; and if he will list the relevant counties....
- Fire Service
Question 127: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if an honour or award system similar to the Scott Medal for Bravery is in place for members of the Fire...
- Waste Management
Question 128: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the need for a national waiver scheme, in particular for low income households and...
- Animal Welfare
Question 129: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on whether carted stag hunting is a cruel and unacceptable activity; if he will issue licences to...
- Social and Affordable Housing
Question 130: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties with some financial institutions in relation to the...
- Building Regulations
Question 131: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the checks being made by his Department to ensure that the building regulations in respect of the need for...
- Waste Disposal
Question 135: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the monitoring carried out by his Department of waste that is collected as recyclable waste by local...
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Question 136: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the legislation in place to ensure that in adopting county development plans, local area plans and strategic...
- Planning Issues
Question 137: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he is satisfied that local authorities in granting planning permission for quarries are taking adequate...
- Building Regulations
Question 138: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason builders of a housing estate (details supplied) in Dublin 15 are avoiding their responsibilities...
- Animal Welfare
Question 139: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will fast track the process of finalising regulations governing the management of dog breeding...
- Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
- Inland Fisheries
Question 140: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the way a club (details supplied) in County Kildare established for fifty years can determine its rights as to...
