Written answers

Wednesday, 12 March 2008

  • Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
    • Telecommunications Services
      Question 86: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress with Eircom's proposal for structural separation; the consultation processes or advisory forums...
    • EU Directives
      Question 87: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has reservations regarding Ireland's commitment to the biofuels directive in view of ethical concerns...
    • Alternative Energy Projects
      Question 88: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the plans he has in place to deal with the situation where there are almost 8000 MW of wind energy projects in...
    • European Council Meetings
      Question 89: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will report on the EU 27 energy Ministers meeting on 27 February 2008 which discussed the Commission's...
    • Electricity Transmission Network
      Question 91: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will report on his intention to transfer the ownership of the transmission assets from ESB to EirGrid; the...
    • Telecommunications Services
      Question 92: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will set ambitious targets on average speeds, availability and penetration rates to be achieved within set...
    • Alternative Energy Projects
      Question 94: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the grants available to businesses and domestic users who provide renewable energy through private wind...
    • Broadcasting Legislation
      Question 95: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when the Broadcasting Bill is due to be published; if he will provide further detail on what will be contained...
    • Electricity Transmission Network
      Question 96: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on threats by ESB unions to impede roll out of smart meters; if the roll out will be funded by the ESB...
    • Energy Resources
      Question 97: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the fact that of the total of 24 measures with specific 2007 deadlines in the energy White Paper,...
    • Telecommunications Services
      Question 99: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will confirm that, as he said in a speech to the Dáil, if an area is not covered by 1 July 2008, it will...
    • Regulatory Bodies
      Question 101: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has plans to make the regulators in his brief more accountable; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • Telecommunications Services
      Question 102: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will extend the universal services obligation to broadband; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • Broadcasting Services
      Question 103: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the effects of the closedown of analogue television in Wales on Counties Wexford, Waterford,...
    • Greenhouse Gas Emissions
      Question 104: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of times he has met with the Department of Transport to discuss the increasing level of emissions...
    • Postal Services
      Question 105: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the implementation of postcodes; if he has the results of any cost benefit analysis; and...
    • Telecommunications Services
      Question 106: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when he envisages that County Kerry will have full broadband access. [10393/08]
    • Energy Resources
      Question 107: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has plans for extra provision of storage facilities similar to Turlough Hill; his views on whether...
    • Telecommunications Services
      Question 110: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the fact that Northern Ireland has achieved 100% broadband penetration; the lessons to be learned...
    • Broadcasting Services
      Question 113: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his Department's readiness for the digital terrestrial television switch over; and if he will make a statement...
    • Telecommunications Services
      Question 114: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the action he has taken directly or in conjunction with his EU colleagues to improve Ireland's standing in the...
    • Energy Conservation
      Question 115: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the greener homes schemes; the number of applicants waiting to receive grants; his views...
    • Greenhouse Gas Emissions
      Question 116: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the assessment of the prospects for geological storage of carbon here; and if he will...
    • Energy Policy
      Question 117: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the publication date of the joint study on natural gas storage and liquefied natural gas on an all-island...
    • Broadcasting Legislation
      Question 123: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the timeframe for publication of the Broadcasting Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10572/08]
    • Fuel Poverty
      Question 124: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the timeframe for publication of the findings of the Fuel Poverty Action Research Project; the most recent...
    • Broadcasting Services
      Question 126: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on providing a channel dedicated to the democratic discussions in Dáil Éireann and making it...
    • Telecommunications Services
      Question 127: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the value for money and policy review on phase one of the MANs programme; when he will...
    • Fisheries Protection
      Question 132: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the time frame for funding Leader companies under his Department's new scheme; the criteria for drawing down...
    • Broadcasting Services
      Question 133: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his proposals for banning junk food advertising aimed at young people; his timeframe for this proposal; and if...
    • Alternative Energy Projects
      Question 134: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the fact that only €13.2 million of the €150 million provided in the national development plan...
    • Postal Services
      Question 136: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress that has occurred in preparation for the transposition of the forthcoming third postal directive...
    • Electricity Generation
      Question 137: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which he anticipates Ireland to generate electricity by alternative means in the next five years;...
    • Mining Industry
      Question 141: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is satisfied that sufficient funding is provided in 2008 to meet Government commitments in relation to...
    • Energy Policy
      Question 142: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the proposal in the programme for Government to remove regulatory barriers to combined heat and...
  • Department of Finance
    • Tax Code
      Question 143: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if a joint initiative has been set up between Ireland and England regarding the imposition of credit card stamp duty (details...
    • Flood Relief
      Question 144: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if consideration is being given to the continuation of a pilot project for remedial work such as the removal of blockages on the...
    • Tax Code
      Question 145: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he plans to reduce VAT rate from the current level of 21% to 13.5% on defibrillators as many of these are purchased by community,...
    • Tax Yield
      Question 146: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the amount of revenue received from the construction industry each year over the past ten years reflecting the amount of VAT, site,...
    • Tax Code
      Question 147: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will allow women who were taxed while receiving maternity benefit to claim an income tax rebate in respect of maternity periods...
  • Department of Health and Children
    • Hospitals Building Programme
      Question 150: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will ensure that phase 3C of Naas General Hospital is added to the Health Service Executive draft capital plan for 2008 which is...
    • Cancer Screening Programme
      Question 151: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of women on the waiting list for mammograms at Limerick Regional Hospital; the length of time those women are on the waiting...
    • Hospitals Building Programme
      Question 155: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when the redevelopment of Ennis General Hospital will take place; the amount of money set aside to finance this project; what the...
    • Ambulance Service
      Question 156: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the ambulance cover available in County Clare in terms of personnel and their qualifications; the plans in place to upskill staff; the...
    • Health Services
      Question 158: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the action she will take on the query from a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if she will make a statement on the matter....
    • Hospital Accommodation
      Question 159: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views regarding the mixing of male and female patients in bedded wards in public hospitals; and the policy in place on this...
    • Hospital Services
      Question 160: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be given a bed in a hospital in Galway; and if the matter will be expedited in view...
    • Hospital Accommodation
      Question 161: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of single bed rooms available to patients as a percentage of the total beds in acute hospitals; the number of single bed...
    • Child Care Services
      Question 165: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason an application for grant aid towards the development of a crèche (details supplied) in County Galway has not been successful...
    • Mental Health Services
      Question 166: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will respond to the criticism of Judge David Anderson who questioned if the Health Service Executive was fit for purpose after a...
    • Services for People with Disabilities
      Question 167: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that there is a 19-month wait for speech therapy and that infant check-ups are being...
    • Health Service Allowances
      Question 168: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will approve health concessions for a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [10812/08]
    • Hospital Waiting Lists
      Question 169: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if a bed will be made available for a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [10813/08]
    • Health Services
      Question 171: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the action she will take on a matter (details supplied) in Dublin 3. [10854/08]
    • Housing Aid for the Elderly
      Question 173: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the average time frame for processing applications under the housing aid for the elderly scheme in each Health Service Executive area;...
    • Nursing Homes Repayment Scheme
      Question 174: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive payment of their claim under health repayment scheme. [10866/08]
    • Hospital Waiting Lists
      Question 175: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will ensure that arrangements are made in order that a person (details supplied) in County Meath can be seen by a consultant at...
    • Services for People with Disabilities
      Question 176: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a new unit for eight intellectually disabled people is still idle for the want of staff...
    • Health Service Staff
      Question 178: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the approval of posts (details supplied) for the Health Service Executive west area; and if she will make a...
    • Cancer Screening Programme
      Question 179: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when BreastCheck mobile digital screen units will be rolled out in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10882/08]
    • Health Services
      Question 180: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the amount of the €6.78 million ring-fenced in 2007 toward the provision of services for people with cystic fibrosis that has been...
    • Medical Cards
      Question 184: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will make a recommendation to the Health Service Executive to ensure that people with cystic fibrosis are automatically issued...
    • Health Services
      Question 185: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will detail what is available for a sector of people (details supplied) under the home care package; and if she will make a...
    • National Service Plan
      Question 186: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the extent to which output targets (details supplied) for 2007 were delivered. [11005/08]
    • Proposed Legislation
      Question 187: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the nature of the legal and constitutional difficulties which have arisen with the nursing home payment legislation to which the...
    • Hospital Services
      Question 188: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of inpatient discharges, day case discharges, outpatient attendances and accident and emergency attendances in 2006 and in...
    • National Treatment Purchase Fund
      Question 189: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of National Treatment Purchase Fund inpatient treatments, day case treatments and consultant appointments in 2006 and 2007....
  • Department of Transport
    • Irish Coast Guard
      Question 190: To ask the Minister for Transport the position regarding the provision of a new maritime station; the number of staff that will become redundant as a result of the closure of...
    • Taxi Hardship Panel
      Question 191: To ask the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the Equality Tribunal's recent ruling finding the decision of the taxi hardship scheme to refuse a driver...
    • Rail Network
      Question 192: To ask the Minister for Transport the time-span for the construction of the western rail corridor from Athenry to Tuam to Claremorris; the expenditure that will be used on this...
    • Road Network
      Question 193: To ask the Minister for Transport if, in view of the importance of the proposed new Coolnamuck Bridge and link road in Carrick-on-Suir to the development of local infrastructure...
    • Public Transport
      Question 194: To ask the Minister for Transport the number of units and the passenger capacity on mainline rail, on Bus Éireann and in private passenger bus fleets with licences to operate...
  • Department of Foreign Affairs
    • Consular Services
      Question 202: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason his Department refused to help persons (details supplied). [10766/08]
    • Passport Applications
      Question 204: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason for the delay in issuing a passport to a person (details supplied) who applied some months ago to replace a previous passport;...
  • Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
    • Regional Development
      Question 206: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of times the interdepartmental group on improving the economic situation in Donegal has met; if it is still...
    • Job Creation
      Question 207: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the efforts that have been made to create and bring employment to County Donegal, that has experienced the highest...
  • Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism
    • Sports Capital Programme
      Question 208: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will approve funding for a project (details supplied) in County Roscommon under the sports capital programme 2008; and if he...
    • Swimming Pool Projects
      Question 214: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism when he will reopen the local authority swimming pool programme. [10991/08]
  • Department of Social and Family Affairs
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      Question 215: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the action he will take in relation to the query from a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if he will make a statement on...
    • Social Welfare Code
      Question 216: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his views on the request by an organisation (details supplied) made in a letter to him dated 6 March 2008 that he refer to the...
  • Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs
    • Community Development
      Question 217: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will assist on a matter (details supplied). [10889/08]
    • Departmental Programmes
      Question 218: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the position in respect of funding or grants to carry out necessary repairs and improvements to a house (details...
  • Department of Agriculture and Food
    • Grant Payments
      Question 220: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their REP scheme payment. [10754/08]
    • National Monuments
      Question 221: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the person under whose instructions Coillte was operating when issuing trespass orders on protestors at an endangered...
    • Coastal Protection
      Question 222: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position in respect of a project (detail supplied). [10858/08]
    • Poultry Industry
      Question 223: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she had involvement with the 85 growers who were supplying turkeys to a company (details supplied) in County Monaghan; if...
  • Department of Education and Science
    • School Transport
      Question 224: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason a pupil (details supplied) in County Kildare attending a school in Dublin 7 is not picked up and dropped off at their home...
    • School Services Staff
      Question 225: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her views on the situation where primary school secretaries have no fixity of tenure and have no right to a pension; if she or her...
    • Schools Building Projects
      Question 226: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will make a decision on the acquisition of a site for a school (detail supplied) in County Kerry as a matter of urgency as...
    • School Accommodation
      Question 227: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding an application made by a school (detail supplied) in County Sligo; and if she will make a statement on the...
    • School Curriculum
      Question 228: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the steps her Department has taken to actively seek to ensure that every child at both primary and senior cycle is involved in...
    • Schools Refurbishment
      Question 229: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the action she will take in respect of a matter (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [10857/08]
    • Special Educational Needs
      Question 230: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if a decision has been made on the appeal sent by this Deputy to her office dated 5 February 2008 to increase resource hours for a...
    • School Staffing
      Question 231: To ask the Minister for Education and Science, further to Parliamentary Question No. 418 of 18 December 2007, the contact she has had with the Teaching Council and the advice that...
    • School Curriculum
      Question 232: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her views on the extent of pupil numbers who received dispensations from taking Irish in the leaving certificate in 2007; her further...
    • School Staffing
      Question 233: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of schools, both primary and post-primary, in County Clare which have applied in 2008 for an additional teacher; if these...
    • Pupil-Teacher Ratio
      Question 235: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her Department's plans to achieve the commitments on class size outlined in the programme for Government; and if she will make a...
    • Schools Building Projects
      Question 236: To ask the Minister for Education and Science, further to Parliamentary Question No. 394 of 3 July 2007, the status of a building project at a school (details supplied) in County...
    • Schools Refurbishment
      Question 239: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason for the delay in the refurbishment project of a school (details supplied) going to tender, in the view of the fact that...
    • Special Educational Needs
      Question 240: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason a person (details supplied) in County Wexford has to wait for payment for the home tuition payment for their child, despite...
    • Computerisation Programme
      Question 241: To ask the Minister for Education and Science, further to Parliamentary Question No. 162 of 27 February 2008, the specific allocation made in 2007 in euro and cent by her...
    • Departmental Expenditure
      Question 242: To ask the Minister for Education and Science, further to Parliamentary Question No. 215 of 31 January 2008, the level of funding available to each sub-programme in her...
    • School Status
      Question 243: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her Department is in negotiation with a secondary school (detail supplied) in County Cork with regard to a proposed change in...
    • Schools Refurbishment
      Question 244: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position with regard to the planned extension to a primary school (detail supplied) in County Cork. [10993/08]
    • School Accommodation
      Question 247: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the serious concern of parents regarding the accommodation crisis at a school (details supplied) in...
    • School Evaluations
      Question 248: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of whole school evaluations of schools at primary level and at secondary level and the number of subject evaluations which...
    • Psychological Service
      Question 249: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of individual services delivered by the National Educational Psychological Service and the NEWB in each of the years 2005,...
    • Early School Leavers
      Question 250: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of children dropping out of school who were identified with serious literacy problems and failing to achieve any...
  • Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform
    • Citizenship Applications
      Question 251: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of the application for citizenship of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 2; and if he will make a statement...
    • Departmental Correspondence
      Question 252: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his Department received correspondence in relation to a promotion to the High Court (details supplied); if his...
    • Crime Prevention
      Question 253: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the action he will take in relation to a matter (details supplied) in Dublin 9. [10856/08]
    • Residency Permits
      Question 254: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he expects a decision to be made regarding an application for long-term residency made by a person (details supplied)...
    • Crime Levels
      Question 255: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the targets which his Department and agencies acting under his Department set for 2007 in respect of the overall or crime...
  • Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government
    • Housing Aid for the Elderly
      Question 256: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the funding that has been allocated to the Health Service Executive for the housing aid for the elderly...
    • Housing Grants
      Question 257: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position in relation to funding or grants to carry out necessary repairs and improvements to a house...
    • Asbestos Remediation Programme
      Question 258: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps his Department is taking to remove asbestos from buildings and so on here in view of the continuing...
    • Environmental Policy
      Question 259: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps he is taking to encourage research to make CFL bulbs brighter initially and more aesthetic in order...
    • Waste Disposal
      Question 261: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps he has taken to ensure that every CFL purchaser understands the way and the locations to dispose of...
    • Water and Sewerage Schemes
      Question 264: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will ensure that Carrickboy, an area within the town boundaries of Ballyshannon, County Donegal will be...
    • Library Projects
      Question 265: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the funding his Department provides to the library service, specifically funding to support outreach...
    • Arts Funding
      Question 266: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he is satisfied with the linkages that exist between his Department and local arts offices to which his...
    • Planning Issues
      Question 267: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if there are planning regulations for the establishment of dog kennels, particularly regarding noise levels;...
    • Housing Grants
      Question 268: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position in relation to grant aid for a sector of people (details supplied); and if he will make a...
  • Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
    • Alternative Energy Projects
      Question 273: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason pure plant oil or other alternative fuels are being exported to other EU states; and if he will make...
    • Telecommunications Services
      Question 274: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his proposals to meet the challenge of knowledge-based economies throughout Europe; and if he will make a...
    • Electricity Transmission Network
      Question 277: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position in relation to the provision of the north/south and east/west electricity interconnectors; and if...
    • Offshore Exploration
      Question 278: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent, location and commercial value of recent or expected oil, gas or other mineral finds; and if he will...