Written answers
Wednesday, 22 October 2008
- Department of Defence
- Sail Training Vessel
Question 18: To ask the Minister for Defence when he expects to receive the marine accident investigation report into the sinking of the Asgard II; when he expects to be able to make a decision...
- Defence Forces Ombudsman
Question 19: To ask the Minister for Defence if he has provided the improved accommodation and additional human resources promised in Dáil Éireann on 2 July 2008 to help the Ombudsman for the...
- Defence Forces Equipment
Question 20: To ask the Minister for Defence the safeguards the Defence Forces have in place to ensure that replica weapons are not substituted for real weapons held by the Defence Forces; if...
- Overseas Missions
Question 21: To ask the Minister for Defence the reason for the 49% decrease in the estimate of expenses for the Defence Forces in regard to travel and freight services. [35868/08]
- Naval Service Vessels
Question 22: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will proceed with the Naval vessel replacement strategy to cover the period up to 2012 to ensure that the operational capability of the Naval...
- Departmental Staff
Question 24: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of personnel on the payroll of his Department in 1997, 2002, and 2007; the number in each year who were members of the Defence Forces,...
- Defence Forces Equipment
Question 25: To ask the Minister for Defence the certification difficulties regarding the helicopters used by Irish troops in Chad; the implications for Irish troops and the mission; the steps...
- Military Medical Services
Question 26: To ask the Minister for Defence when he expects to receive the report of the consultancy on the sustainable provision of the relevant medical expertise and services to the Defence...
- Air Corps Equipment
Question 27: To ask the Minister for Defence if a decision has been made in regard to the replacement of the Air Corps Cessna fleet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35896/08]
- Defence Forces Equipment
Question 28: To ask the Minister for Defence if it is intended to proceed with the acquisition of new light tactical armoured vehicles for the Defence Forces; when these vehicles are expected...
- Personal Injury Claims
Question 30: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of claims for compensation received from members of the Defence Forces arising from road accidents involving Defence Forces vehicles in...
- PDFORRA Conference
Question 32: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will make a statement on his address to the Annual Conference of PDFORRA on 8 October 2008. [35897/08]
- Decentralisation Programme
Question 33: To ask the Minister for Defence the position regarding the implementation by his Department of the decision on decentralisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. ...
- Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team
Question 34: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of occasions during 2006, 2007 and to date in 2008, on which the Army bomb squad has been called out to deal with suspected explosive...
- Overseas Missions
Question 35: To ask the Minister for Defence his proposals to ensure that Irish Troops serving in Chad will have their Christmas gifts delivered to them in time for Christmas 2008; and if he...
- Defence Forces Property
Question 37: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of St. Bricin's military hospital, Dublin. [35877/08]
- Commemorative Events
Question 39: To ask the Minister for Defence when the committee to consider plans for appropriate commemorations to mark the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising in 2016 will be convened; the...
- Overseas Missions
Question 40: To ask the Minister for Defence if serving Irish members of the Defence Forces will be serving with either the EU or OSCE cease-fire monitoring mission in Georgia; and if he will...
- Defence Forces Recruitment
Question 41: To ask the Minister for Defence if he has received the report from the Defence Forces reviewing its policy on laser eye surgery especially as it applies to persons applying to join...
- Defence Forces Equipment
Question 45: To ask the Minister for Defence the safety improvements that have been made to Army vehicles in view of recent road accidents involving Army lorries on the M50 and in Granard,...
- Defence Forces Pensions
Question 47: To ask the Minister for Defence the average number of years served by Defence Forces personnel who have retired in each of the past five years; the average age of retiring...
- Defence Forces Personnel
Question 48: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of medical staff within the Defence Forces; the number who have a psychiatric qualification; the number in each category serving in a...
- Departmental Estimates
Question 53: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will make a statement on the Estimate for his Department for 2009. [35871/08]
- Overseas Missions
Question 58: To ask the Minister for Defence his views on committing the full complement of Defence Force members available for overseas missions only to UN led missions once current commitments...
- Departmental Properties
Question 59: To ask the Minister for Defence his plans for the disposal of any land or buildings owned by his Department or any section of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on...
- Defence Forces Personnel
Question 60: To ask the Minister for Defence if the proposed reduction of 3% in payroll costs will be applied to the Defence Forces; the way in which this will be achieved; and if he will make a...
- Army Barracks
Question 63: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of personnel based in each of the Army barracks in Monaghan and Cavan; his views on whether it is essential that these personnel remain in...
- Defence Forces Operations
Question 64: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of occasions the Defence Forces have been asked to assist in searches for missing persons since 1998; the locations of these searches; the...
- Civilianisation Programme
Question 65: To ask the Minister for Defence the progress made in the civilianisation of the Defence Forces arising from the pay agreement and modernisation agenda agreed with the Defence Forces...
- Overseas Missions
Question 67: To ask the Minister for Defence his proposals in regard to the Defence Forces participating in EU battlegroups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35866/08]
- Departmental Properties
Question 68: To ask the Minister for Defence his plans for his Department's land in Templebreedy, Crosshaven, County Cork; the effect these plans will have on the local pitch and putt club that...
- Departmental Advertising
Question 73: To ask the Minister for Defence if the contract has been awarded in relation to the publicity and awareness campaign to promote recruitment to the Reserve Defence Force; and if he...
- Defence Forces Recruitment
Question 74: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of recruits that will be taken into the Defence Forces throughout 2008, broken down in respect of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service;...
- Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
- Work Permits
Question 76: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will grant an employment permit to a person (details supplied) in view of the additional information...
- Workplace Accidents
Question 77: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, further to Parliamentary Question No. 4 of 15 October 2008, the details of the membership of the Construction...
- Department of Finance
- Fiscal Policy
Question 78: To ask the Minister for Finance if the revenue generated by the proposed €200 car park levy will be used to advance public transport building works; and if he will make a...
- Tax Collection
Question 81: To ask the Minister for Finance if a person (details supplied) in County Laois will be furnished with a P21 balancing statement for 2007; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Public Service Contracts
Question 83: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will ascertain from the Office of Public Works if the construction phase of a project (details supplied) in County Mayo will proceed on land...
- Flood Relief
Question 84: To ask the Minister for Finance when funding will be released for the Mornington River flood alleviation and surface water drainage scheme; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Tax Code
Question 85: To ask the Minister for Finance if there is a Government levy on insurance policies here; if so, the amount raised through this levy; the reason it is imposed; and if he will make a...
- Department of Health and Children
- Drug Treatment Programme
Question 86: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she has identified the location on the two cocaine specific treatment centres to which she committed in the programme for Government...
- Health Services
Question 87: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of detox beds available in each year for the past five years; and the number of additional beds for which funding has been...
- Ambulance Service
Question 88: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason there are two public ambulance services in Dublin; if a single service would be more effective; if savings would result that...
- Services for People with Disabilities
Question 89: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding a sheltered workshop (details supplied) in County Mayo; the reason it is proposed to close this facility; the...
- Hospital Procedures
Question 90: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the situation that prevents umbilical cord blood collection at the time of a baby's birth at Our Lady...
- Services for People with Disabilities
Question 95: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if there is a site available to a centre (details supplied) in County Tipperary for the provision of a residential facility for persons...
- Community Care
Question 96: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the funds that have been made available by her Department for the provision of a community hospital at Tuam, County Galway; the stage of...
- Health Service Allowances
Question 97: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the different rates for mobility allowance that will apply in 2009; and the date from which it will apply. [36334/08]
- Nursing Homes Repayment Scheme
Question 100: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Sligo will receive payment in respect of a claim under the nursing home refund scheme. [36345/08]
- Medical Cards
Question 101: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the cost to administer the means test for the over 70s medical card [36354/08]
- Services for People with Disabilities
Question 106: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the way the funding announced in the budget for implementing the Disability Act 2005 will be used; if she will ensure that a child...
- Mental Health Services
Question 109: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if the €50 million required for the implementation of a Vision for Change has been made available in Budget 2009; and if she will make...
- Nursing Home Subventions
Question 110: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the funding being provided for the implementation of the fair deal scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36385/08]
- Care of the Elderly
Question 111: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the locations at which the €120 million to provide services for a growing and aging population will be allocated and spent; and if she...
- Community Care
Question 112: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position in relation to home help or carers assistant required by persons (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make...
- Department of Transport
- Harbours and Piers
Question 113: To ask the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the increase in harbour fees was willingly accepted by the local fishermen based on promises made...
- Transport Projects
Question 119: To ask the Minister for Transport the revised timeline for all Transport 21 projects; when planning, construction and operation phases are due to commence; and if he will make a...
- Public Transport
Question 122: To ask the Minister for Transport the status of plans to remove pinch points on quality bus corridors and other bus routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36305/08]
- Integrated Ticketing System
Question 123: To ask the Minister for Transport the status of plans to introduce integrated ticketing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36306/08]
- Public Transport
Question 124: To ask the Minister for Transport the status of plans to make available real time passenger information at bus stops and on mobile phones; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Bus Services
Question 125: To ask the Minister for Transport when the efficiency study of the Dublin Bus fleet began; the resources allocated to the study; when he expects the results from the study; and if...
- Departmental Agencies
Question 126: To ask the Minister for Transport the way the cut in the budget for the Road Safety Authority will affect the roll out of many planned safety initiatives; and if he will make a...
- Light Rail Projects
Question 127: To ask the Minister for Transport when the decision on whether metro north should proceed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36313/08]
- Departmental Expenditure
Question 128: To ask the Minister for Transport the reason there was a 61% increase in the budget for vehicle and driver licensing expenses; the activities which require the additional funding;...
- Decentralisation Programme
Question 129: To ask the Minister for Transport the way the Budget 2009 announcement on decentralisation affects his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36315/08]
- Rail Network
Question 130: To ask the Minister for Transport if, with the imminent reopening of the Youghal railway line as far as Midleton, there are temporary or permanent developments or obstructions on...
- Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform
- Road Safety
Question 131: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if cutbacks have affected plans to purchase speed cameras for deployment and operation here; the most up to date time line...
- Criminal Prosecutions
Question 132: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will introduce legislation to control the location, time, date and manner in which street begging may take place; and...
- Residency Permits
Question 133: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on correspondence regarding the exceptional circumstances of a person (details supplied) who wishes to remain in...
- Disposal of Firearms
Question 134: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the dates on which firearms and ammunition stored at Clancy Barracks were destroyed on behalf of the Garda Technical Bureau...
- Citizenship Applications
Question 135: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for naturalisation in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; when...
- Prisoner Rehabilitation
Question 136: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the rehabilitation goals and targets set for prisoners annually since 2002; the annual targets and goals set for 2009 and...
- Prisoner Releases
Question 140: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will provide details on the proposal to only permit prisoner remission based on participation in rehabilitation; and...
- Drugs in Prisons
Question 141: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the measures put in place in 2008 to make prisons drug free; and the further measures planned for 2009. [36453/08]
- Prison Discipline
Question 142: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress made on the introduction of the prison discipline strategy; and the timeframe for its introduction. [36454/08]
- UN Convention Against Torture
Question 143: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to ratify the optional protocol to the UN Convention Against Torture. [36455/08]
- Prison Inspections
Question 144: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of independent prison monitoring inspections that have taken place in 2006, 2007, 2008 and the proposed number...
- Community Service
Question 145: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to introduce a community payback scheme requiring offenders to provide real services for the community; and the...
- Juvenile Offenders
Question 146: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will provide details of his parental responsibility proposals; the progress made to date; the number of local...
- Anti-Social Behaviour
Question 147: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of anti-social behaviour action teams that have been established in each local authority; the plans for the...
- Garda Deployment
Question 148: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he will establish the special Garda units to deal with anti-social behaviour on public transport. [36460/08]
- Garda Strength
Question 149: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí nationally; the number of trainee gardaí in Templemore; the timeframe for the existing trainees to...
- Departmental Staff
Question 150: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will provide in tabular format, the number of civilian staff working in the Garda Síochána in each year for the...
- Garda Promotions
Question 151: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of promotional posts that have been created in each of the past five years and to date in 2008. [36464/08]
- Garda Strength
Question 152: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the analysis conducted most recently on Garda to population ratios; if he will provide a breakdown on a district by...
- Garda Reserve Force
Question 153: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of people in the Garda Reserve at year end 2006, 2007 and to date in 2008. [36466/08]
- Garda Operations
Question 154: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his progress to date on introducing conditions to govern the use by a suspect of the Garda interview video. [36467/08]
- Garda Regulations
Question 155: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his view on the new code of discipline and whistleblowers regulations in view of the conclusion and remarks of the Morris...
- Garda Reform
Question 156: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress on the implementation of the Barr Tribunal recommendations and the recommendations contained in the report of...
- Road Traffic Offences
Question 157: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the funding he has committed to combating drug driving in 2008 and for 2009; the progress to date on increasing garda...
- Proposed Regulations
Question 158: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress to date on the requirement of all mobile phones to be registered with name, address and proof of identity....
- Crime Prevention
Question 159: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he will introduce divestitures and trusteeships in relation to gangland crime as committed to in the Programme for...
- Sentencing Policy
Question 160: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he will establish the Judicial Sentencing Commission; and the time-frame once established to publish sentencing...
- Garda Training
Question 162: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans for the provision of a specialised team trained in the area of domestic violence in each garda region. [36479/08]
- Legal Aid Service
Question 163: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his commitment to provide an entitlement to free full separate legal advice, assistance and representation to complainants...
- Missing Persons
Question 164: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress to date on establishing a dedicated missing persons unit and a response network similar to the amber alert in...
- Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism
- Sports Capital Programme
Question 165: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will direct resources for a two-year period towards the provision of sports and community projects and the provision of...
- Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs
- National Drugs Strategy
Question 166: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he has fully implemented the recommendations of the working group on drug rehabilitation. [36471/08]
- Youth Services
Question 168: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the funding provided to the young people's facilities and services fund each year since its establishment; and if he...
- Department of Social and Family Affairs
- EU Directives
Question 169: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her views on the question raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding EU Directive 2006/54/EC; and if she will make a...
- Social Welfare Benefits
Question 170: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be approved and awarded disability allowance. [36575/08]
- Social Welfare Appeals
Question 171: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a jobseekers allowance appeal for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be finalised. [36578/08]
- Department of Defence
- Defence Forces Reserve
Question 173: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of recruits who have enlisted in the Reserve Defence Force, the Army Reserve, since its reorganisation on 1 October 2005; the number of...
- Disposal of Firearms
Question 174: To ask the Minister for Defence the dates on which firearms and ammunition stored at Clancy Barracks were destroyed on behalf of the Garda technical bureau between 1 July 2000 and...
- Overseas Missions
Question 175: To ask the Minister for Defence the position in regard to the development and participation in EU or UN sponsored RAPID response forces; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Defence Forces Equipment
Question 179: To ask the Minister for Defence the extent to which it is intended, expected or required to extend or improve the coastal surveillance services provided by the Air Corps and Navy...
- Departmental Expenditure
Question 180: To ask the Minister for Defence the way recent financial cutbacks are expected to affect each sector in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36431/08]
- Defence Forces Equipment
Question 182: To ask the Minister for Defence the extent to which the need for upgrading or modernisation of military equipment, hardware or facilities has been identified; when it is intended...
- Defence Forces Strength
Question 183: To ask the Minister for Defence his plans to increase the strength of the Army, Navy or Air Corps in the foreseeable future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36434/08]
- Army Barracks
Question 184: To ask the Minister for Defence his plans to update, upgrade or modernise the Defence Forces as a result of recent proposals to dispose of military installations; and if he will...
- Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government
- Community Wardens
Question 187: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to expand the role of community wardens. [36461/08]
- Social and Affordable Housing
Question 188: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will respond to a query (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36281/08]
- Departmental Expenditure
Question 190: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the current and capital allocations he is making in 2009 to the Northside Regeneration Agency and the...
- Planning Issues
Question 191: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will issue guidelines to local authorities for the erection of wind turbines for the supply of...
- Toxic Waste
Question 193: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps he will take to remove the hazardous waste on Haulbowline Island and clean up the island once this...
- Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
- Alternative Energy Projects
Question 194: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to grant aid the provision of domestic wind turbine generation of electricity; and if he will make a...
- Telecommunications Services
Question 195: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the timescale for the conclusion of the tendering process for the national broadband scheme; the estimated...
- Grant Payments
Question 196: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if households that upgrade their windows to improve the energy efficiency of their home will be eligible for...
- Department of Education and Science
- School Staffing
Question 198: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number and the schools which will be losing teaching staff due to the new changes in the staffing schedule. [36277/08]
- School Accommodation
Question 200: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will provide a list, on a county basis, of all schools that are currently using prefabs as classrooms; and the age of these...
- Third Level Places
Question 201: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason a student (details supplied) has not received a third level place in the 2008-2009 academic year. [36288/08]
- Higher Education Grants
Question 202: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the financial assistance available to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary. [36298/08]
- Departmental Expenditure
Question 203: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that non-payment of moneys due to a contractor (details supplied) who supplied pedestrian...
- Higher Education Grants
Question 204: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the financial and educational support that exists to assist a person (details supplied) in County Galway who wishes to pursue a course...
- Schools Building Projects
Question 205: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason funding allocated and assurances given by his Department at the end of 2006 that a project at a school (details supplied)...
- Physical Education Facilities
Question 209: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of schools at primary and second level that have purpose built physical education facilities; if he is satisfied with this...
- School Accommodation
Question 210: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the way a school (details supplied) in County Cork can apply for a devolved grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- School Transport
Question 211: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason a student (details supplied), who previously received a bus pass for the past two years, has been refused school transport;...
- Departmental Expenditure
Question 213: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the budget which is under the responsibility of the various Ministers of State at his Department, that is the budgets which are under...
- Site Acquisitions
Question 214: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he has had discussions with a school (details supplied) in County Dublin with regard to acquiring an additional plot of land beside...
- Insurance Schemes
Question 215: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his views on introducing an insurance scheme through his Department for students visiting historical and educational sites which may...
- Physical Education Facilities
Question 216: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his options to preserve jobs and services at the physical education halls of schools (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if he will...
- Schools Building Projects
Question 217: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will confirm that the building programme at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 6W will commence; and if he will make a...
- Gaelscoileanna
Question 220: To ask the Aire Oideachais agus Eolaíochta cén dul chun cinn atá déanta ina Roinn leis an iarratas ó Ghaelscoil (sonraí tugtha); agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh....
- Special Educational Needs
Question 221: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will support a matter in relation to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3. [36388/08]
- Road Safety
Question 222: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason pedestrian traffic lights adjunct to a school (details supplied) in County Kildare have not been switched on; and if he...
- School Accommodation
Question 223: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the developments, since his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 767 of 17 June 2008, in respect of a school (details supplied) in...
