Written answers
Thursday, 19 November 2009
- Department of Defence
- Overseas Missions
Question 13: To ask the Minister for Defence if the Defence Forces and military authorities are reviewing the threat assessment in Afghanistan in view of recent violent incidents there; the...
- Defence Forces Discipline
Question 14: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of members of the Defence Forces who have been removed from membership for being in contravention of the Defence Forces policy on drugs...
- Departmental Expenditure
Question 15: To ask the Minister for Defence if the Department of Finance has indicated the amount of money to be deducted from his Department's vote in 2010; and if he will make a statement on...
- Defence Forces Strength
Question 17: To ask the Minister for Defence his views on whether the drop in Defence Forces numbers from 12,750 in 1996 to 10,081 in 2009 leaves little scope for further cuts if he wishes to...
- Departmental Expenditure
Question 18: To ask the Minister for Defence his views on whether spending on the Irish Defence Forces as a proportion of GDP is the lowest amongst the 27 European Union states; and if he will...
- Defence Forces Reserve
Question 19: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of the Permanent Defence Forces cadre that are servicing Reserve Defence Force units in Tipperary; if they are in receipt of an allowance...
- Overseas Missions
Question 20: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of overseas missions he has visited to date in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42212/09]
- Human Rights Issues
Question 21: To ask the Minister for Defence, further to Parliamentary Question No. 59 of 8 October 2009, the reports he has received in regard to violence against refugee women in eastern Chad;...
- Decentralisation Programme
Question 22: To ask the Minister for Defence his plans for the location of each of the sections of Defence Forces headquarters; when his Department will move to its new offices in Newbridge,...
- Army Equitation School
Question 23: To ask the Minister for Defence if a cost benefit analysis has been done in regard to the contribution made by the Army Equitation School to the promotion of tourism and the...
- Irish Red Cross
Question 24: To ask the Minister for Defence his views on a report (details supplied) regarding the control of the Irish Red Cross. [42196/09]
- Air Accident Investigations
Question 26: To ask the Minister for Defence if the cause of the tragic air accident in Cornamona, County Galway in which the two Air Corps pilots lost their lives has been established; and if...
- Overseas Missions
Question 27: To ask the Minister for Defence the plans being put in place for the Air Corps to be ready to serve with aircraft in future overseas missions in view of the fact that overseas...
- Defence Forces Properties
Question 28: To ask the Minister for Defence if he has identified any property of the Defence Forces that is not fully and economically utilised by the defence sector in relation to the report...
- Naval Service Vessels
Question 29: To ask the Minister for Defence the assurances he will give the House of the Oireachtas in regard to the safety and effectiveness of the current naval vessels; if they are not to be...
- Social Welfare Benefits
Question 30: To ask the Minister for Defence if members of the Irish Army are in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance in order to maintain their families; and if he will make a statement...
- Hearing Impairment Claims
Question 31: To ask the Minister for Defence if all army deafness claims have been disposed of; the final number of claims processed; the total payments to claimants; the costs paid to...
- Army Operations
Question 32: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of call-outs of the explosive ordnance disposal team in regard to suspect devices or the removal of old ordnance to date in 2009 and for...
- Courts of Inquiry
Question 37: To ask the Minister for Defence if the court of inquiry established to investigate the incident at Kilworth Camp, County Cork, when a young officer was seriously injured in a...
- Overseas Missions
Question 38: To ask the Minister for Defence the current and future deployment overseas locations for the Defence Forces; the extent to which his attention has been drawn to future requirements...
- Naval Service Vessels
Question 39: To ask the Minister for Defence if he has received approval from the Department of Finance to use the insurance payment of €3.8 million arising from the loss of [i]Asgard II[/i]...
- Overseas Missions
Question 40: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will ensure that Irish troops serving overseas, particularly those serving in Chad, will be able to receive parcels and presents from home; and...
- Internet Security
Question 41: To ask the Minister for Defence if he is satisfied that Ireland is properly prepared to withstand an attempt at cyber warfare or terrorism; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Defence Forces Operations
Question 43: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of bank cash escort duties carried out by the Defence Forces in 2008 and to date in 2009; the payments received from the banks to cover...
- Overseas Missions
Question 44: To ask the Minister for Defence the arrangements for helicopter support for our troops in Chad since they were first deployed in February 2008. [42197/09]
- Commemorative Events
Question 45: To ask the Minister for Defence the progress made by the committee established to consider proposals for an appropriate commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the 1916 Rising in...
- Defence Forces Properties
Question 47: To ask the Minister for Defence if he plans to bring forward a detailed feasibility study in regard to the disposal of Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin and the re-location of...
- Defence Forces Reserve
Question 50: To ask the Minister for Defence if the review of the Reserve Defence Force as part of the 2009 to 2011 phase of the Government's value for money and policy review initiative has...
- Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
- Registry of Friendly Societies
Question 51: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, further to Parliamentary Question No 216 of 3 November, if she has concerns with the number of trade unions...
- Department of Finance
- Financial Services Regulation
Question 52: To ask the Minister for Finance the protection available to homeowners who have taken out sub-prime mortgages; his plans to make statutory the code on mortgage arrears; and if he...
- Public Service Contracts
Question 53: To ask the Minister for Finance the reason, when State bodies are putting out tender documents for services, companies providing tenders are requested to provide evidence that they...
- Tax Collection
Question 54: To ask the Minister for Finance the interest rates charged on underpayments of tax or late payments; if he will consider modifying them at this time when bank credit for working...
- Casino and Gaming Industry
Question 57: To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding casinos operating here; if they are outside or inside the jurisdiction of the law; if they are outside of the law, the reason...
- Banking Sector Regulation
Question 58: To ask the Minister for Finance if he is satisfied that Anglo Irish Bank is functioning to service the needs of existing customers who are performing within their business and in...
- Departmental Staff
Question 59: To ask the Minister for Finance the level of expenses paid to the staff of the Revenue Commissioners in the past 12 months, in particular the level of moneys issued for overnight...
- Tax Code
Question 60: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will provide confirmation that the allowance of a person (details supplied) is not taxable; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- National Statistics
Question 61: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of PAYE workers in the Waterford tax district earning less than €10,000, earning between €10,001 and €20,000, earning between...
- Tax Code
Question 62: To ask the Minister for Finance the reason the second home levy of €200 is non-tax deductible to members of an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on...
- Illicit Trade in Tobacco
Question 63: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of ships boarded and searched in the port of Sligo in the years 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and up to 31 October 2009 by Revenue and customs...
- Public Sector Staff
Question 64: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of full-time and part-time positions that remain vacant due to the public sector recruitment embargo; the pertinent public sector areas;...
- Departmental Staff
Question 65: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of staff employed in each Government Department at the end of 2007, 2008 and at the end of October 2009 in tabular form; and if he will...
- Tax Code
Question 67: To ask the Minister for Finance the details of the tax relief for nursing home expenses; the number of persons benefiting from tax relief for nursing home expenses; the number...
- Departmental Reports
Question 75: To ask the Minister for Finance his view on the recommendations of the interdepartmental review group made in 2002 on tax concessions for disabled drivers and disabled passengers;...
- Tax Code
Question 76: To ask the Minister for Finance the revenue to the Exchequer that would be generated from a new 48% tax applied to income of more than €100,000; and if he will make a statement...
- Financial Institutions Support Scheme
Question 77: To ask the Minister for Finance if home mortgage holders are covered by the bank guarantee scheme of September 2008; if so, the number covered; and if he will make a statement on...
- Tax Code
Question 78: To ask the Minister for Finance the retail volumes accommodated at the VAT rates 0%, 13.5% and 21.5%; if he will indicate specifically the volumes in regard to eat-in meals; his...
- Banking Sector Regulation
Question 79: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of cheques returned in banks (details supplied) from 1 April 2009 to 1 October 2009. [42470/09]
- Consumer Price Index
Question 80: To ask the Minister for Finance the basis for his statement on a programme (details supplied) on 13 November 2009 of the breakdown of the deflation rate among pensioners, unemployed...
- Tax Collection
Question 81: To ask the Minister for Finance the estimate for each tax category for year end 2009 and in 2010 which underpins the pre-budget tax forecast. [42510/09]
- Public Service Pay
Question 83: To ask the Minister for Finance the value of public service pay and of public service pensions in 2009 to 2012 which underpins the no policy change estimates; the average number...
- Fiscal Policy
Question 84: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of taxpayers and their distribution across income categories in 2009 and 2010 which underpin his conclusions on the share of tax paid by...
- Tax Collection
Question 87: To ask the Minister for Finance his estimate of the contribution of the housing sector to tax revenue in each year since 2000 to date in 2009. [42516/09]
- Department of Health and Children
- Health Service Staff
Question 90: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of the Health Service Executive posts of dedicated officer for elder abuse created as a response of her policy on elder abuse,...
- Health Services
Question 91: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if the Health Service Executive's service plan for 2010 includes the appointment of a consultant (details supplied) in County Mayo; and...
- Nursing Homes Repayment Scheme
Question 94: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding an appeal under the health repayment scheme for a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [42362/09]
- Hospital Services
Question 95: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide the latest revenue income and expenditure for Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, County Meath; and if she will make a...
- Medical Cards
Question 96: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if a medical card will be renewed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [42376/09]
- Health Service Staff
Question 99: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of permanent staff and temporary staff employed by the Health Service Executive at the end of 2007, end of 2008 and at the end...
- Hospital Services
Question 103: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Dublin will expect to have a peg feed put in place at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin; and if she...
- Health Insurance
Question 104: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her plans to replace the health insurance levy scheme with a risk equalisation scheme; the timeframe for same; and if she will make a...
- Health Services
Question 105: To ask the Minister for Health and Children, further to Parliamentary Question No. 178 of 14 October 2009, when a reply will issue from the Health Service Executive. [42457/09]
- Children in Care
Question 106: To ask the Minister for Health and Children, further to Parliamentary Question No. 162 of 15 October 2009, when a reply will issue from the Health Service Executive. [42458/09]
- Hospital Services
Question 107: To ask the Minister for Health and Children, further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 27 and 28 of 17 September 2009, the position regarding Louth County Hospital; the reason this...
- Medical Cards
Question 110: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if a full medical card will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter....
- Department of Transport
- Rail Network
Question 111: To ask the Minister for Transport the expenditure on the Belfast to Cork rail line of the €39.64 million funding designated to his Department by the EU's Ten-T transport agency...
- Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform
- Departmental Staff
Question 112: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will release a person (details supplied) employed by his Department for filling of vacancies at the agriculture...
- Crime Prevention
Question 113: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the operation of informal purchase of gold is regulated to ensure that it is conducted by suitable persons and is not...
- Deportation Orders
Question 114: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason for a deportation order against a person (details supplied) in Dublin 16; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Garda Strength
Question 115: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on whether an extension for three years would moderate the short-term impact of retirements at senior level in An...
- Citizenship Applications
Question 116: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding a naturalisation application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he...
- Control of Firearms
Question 117: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will consider an appropriate payment system for the gun licence, which has recently been brought into law, whereby...
- Visa Applications
Question 118: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if an extended visa will be granted from three months to either six or 12 months in the case of a person (details supplied)...
- Road Traffic Offences
Question 119: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the confiscation of vehicles for tax and insurance purposes; the number of vehicles confiscated or...
- Department of Foreign Affairs
- Security of Aid Workers
Question 120: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps he proposes to take unilaterally or in association with his EU or UN colleagues to discourage and prevent kidnapping of aid...
- Debt Relief
Question 122: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will support the five objectives of a campaign (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42424/09]
- Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism
- Services for People with Disabilities
Question 123: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if the sports inclusion disability officer programme will continue to be funded through the dormant account stream of Pobal; and if...
- Swimming Pool Projects
Question 124: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position regarding the swimming pool project for Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon. [42471/09]
- Tourism Promotion
Question 125: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his strategy to rebalance the east-west divide in tourism spend here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42410/09]
- Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs
- Community Development
Question 126: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if funding for community development projects will continue at current levels including a centre (details supplied);...
- Department of Social and Family Affairs
- Proposed Legislation
Question 127: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when she will introduce legal recognition of the acquired gender of transsexuals as mentioned in the revised programme for...
- Social Insurance
Question 128: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the amount of employer PRSI which was raised in the years 1982, 1987, 1989, 1992, 1994, 1997, 2002 and 2007; and if she will make...
- Social Welfare Benefits
Question 130: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a person (details supplied) in County Dublin will be allowed continue on the back to education allowance in view of the fact...
- Social Welfare Appeals
Question 131: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a decision on appeal will be forthcoming for a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on...
- Departmental Staff
Question 132: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding the staffing levels at four social welfare offices in Mallow, Cobh, Bantry and Carrigaline in County Cork;...
- Employment Support Services
Question 133: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the terms on which persons would retain their social welfare entitlements while taking up a graduate placement introduced in...
- Social Welfare Code
Question 134: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the minimum payment from a social welfare income; the ceiling level of eligible rent, mortgage interest and house insurance; the...
- Department of Defence
- Defence Forces Reserve
Question 137: To ask the Minister for Defence the strength of the Army Reserve including Navy and Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42476/09]
- Defence Forces Equipment
Question 138: To ask the Minister for Defence the extent to which the technology available to the Defence Forces here is kept up to date in line with best international practice and...
- Overseas Missions
Question 139: To ask the Minister for Defence if Irish troops due for deployment overseas are given adequate opportunity to train alongside their fellow peacekeepers prior to deployment; and if...
- Defence Forces Strength
Question 146: To ask the Minister for Defence the total strength of the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps in each of the past five years to date in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government
- Social and Affordable Housing
Question 147: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of persons who have drawn down home choice loans; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Control of Dogs
Question 148: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he will introduce new regulations restricting the rights of persons to own dangerous breeds of dogs; and...
- Radon Gas
Question 149: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the average cost of each radon detector unit as supplied by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland;...
- Departmental Agencies
Question 150: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the annual operating budget for the Radiological Protection Institute for 2009; the projected budget for...
- Architectural Heritage
Question 151: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will make a recommendation to the Dublin City Council planning authority to include the Poolbeg...
- Local Authority Staff
Question 153: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of permanent staff and temporary staff employed by each local authority at the end of June 2008,...
- Nuclear Plants
Question 154: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the level of engagement his Department and other relevant State agencies have had with the British...
- Town Boundaries
Question 155: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the proposals by Midleton Town Council, County Cork, to make alterations to the town's boundary;...
- Social and Affordable Housing
Question 156: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the terms and conditions governing home choice loan, shared ownership schemes, equity loans and standard...
- Housing Grants
Question 159: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of local authorities that are continuing to accept applications under the housing aid, mobility...
- Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
- Television Licence Fee
Question 160: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on whether it is equitable and fair that members of an organisation (details supplied) have to pay a...
- Pension Provisions
Question 161: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, further to Parliamentary Question 404 of 10 November 2009, the approximate date for the resolution to the...
- Department of Agriculture and Food
- Grant Payments
Question 162: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their REPS 4 payment. [42361/09]
- Veterinary Offices
Question 165: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the district veterinary office will be retained in Carlow in view of the fact it is essential for the three exporting...
- Knackery Industry
Question 166: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason for the delay in granting a licence for the slaughtering of horses to a company (details supplied) in County...
- Compensation Schemes
Question 167: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his attention has been drawn to the fact that not all county councils are paying compensation to bee-keepers who have to...
- Department of Education and Science
- Literacy Levels
Question 168: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his views on the recommendation (details supplied) of the National Economic and Social Forum that a national literacy policy framework...
- Educational Disadvantage
Question 169: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his views on the critique that the DEIS programme fails to target social disadvantage in many areas that do not qualify for the scheme...
- Schools Building Projects
Question 171: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when an application was received by his Department from a school (details supplied) in County Wexford to build a new school; the stage...
- Higher Education Grants
Question 172: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason for refusal of an application for a third level maintenance grant by a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if...
- Schools Building Projects
Question 173: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will review the status of a project (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42369/09]
- Computerisation Programme
Question 174: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if an application has been made by a school (details supplied) for additional information and communications technology equipment; if...
- Vocational Education Committees
Question 175: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will define a voluntary organisation and a community organisation; the criteria used in deciding this in relation to section 7...
- School Staffing
Question 176: To ask the Minister for Education and Science on the number of primary teachers, in non fee paying primary schools at the end of September 2007, end of September 2008, and end of...
- School Enrolments
Question 177: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the numbers of children attending non fee paying primary schools at the end of September 2007, end of September 2008 and at the end...
- Higher Education Grants
Question 178: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will consider revising the rules governing the eligibility for higher education maintenance grants and third level registration...
- School Transport
Question 179: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will review a decision not to allow a school transport service to drop a child (details supplied) in County Mayo at an after...
- Departmental Expenditure
Question 180: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if the proposed €100 million school technology investment funding will be drawn from his Department's capital funding; and if he...
- Schools Building Projects
Question 181: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will order that a school (details supplied) in County Dublin will be given priority for rebuilding; if his attention has been...
- Departmental Properties
Question 182: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his plans regarding the use of a site (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; if he will allow the buildings or site to be used for...
- Schools Building Projects
Question 183: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the status of a new national school project regarding a school (details supplied) in County Sligo; if he will give assurances that...
