Written answers

Thursday, 17 December 2009

  • Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism
    • Arts Plan
      Question 8: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his plans for national opera provision in view of reports of an amalgamation and if a new national opera company will be established...
    • Tourism Industry
      Question 9: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if a study has been undertaken to assess the impact of the airport departure tax and the damage it is doing to our tourism industry;...
    • Swimming Pool Projects
      Question 11: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will reopen the local authority swimming pool programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47396/09]
    • Tourism Industry
      Question 12: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he has received representations to engage with the British National Trust and the Stormont Minister for Arts, Culture and Leisure...
    • Film Industry Development
      Question 13: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if in contacts with officials of the Department of Finance in relation to tax breaks for the film industry he has sought to have...
    • Sport and Recreational Development
      Question 14: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his plans for the proposed national sports campus; the progress made to date in terms of planning and design; and if he will make a...
    • Departmental Bodies
      Question 15: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will report on plans to amalgamate the National Gallery, the Irish Museum of Modern Art and the Crawford Art Gallery; if he...
    • Arts Council
      Question 16: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on the impact cuts in the Arts Council budget will have on the arts here; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Tourism Industry
      Question 19: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on the recently published report (details supplied) carried out on behalf of the Irish Hotels Federation; his further views...
    • Sports Funding
      Question 20: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism when the national sports facilities strategy will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47392/09]
    • National Concert Hall
      Question 22: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if funding will be provided for the National Concert Hall for 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47397/09]
    • Arts Plan
      Question 24: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the main policy objectives for the promotion of the arts in 2010 regarding the ongoing need for strategic expenditure that has...
    • Sports Funding
      Question 25: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the steps he is taking to secure adequate levels of funding for sport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47199/09]
  • Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
    • Redundancy Payments
      Question 26: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to delays of up to 12 months in respect of statutory redundancy payments for...
    • Work Permits
      Question 27: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of work permits issued on a county basis in each year from 2000 to date in 2009; and if she will...
    • FÁS Training Programmes
      Question 28: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on correspondence (details supplied) submitted by this Deputy on 8 October 2009 relative to a...
    • Departmental Staff
      Question 29: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of staff employed by her Department on 1 January 2009; and the number of staff employed on 10...
    • Redundancy Payments
      Question 30: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when a redundancy payment will be made in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford. [47806/09]
    • Job Losses
      Question 31: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, further to Parliamentary Question No. 199 of 24 September 2008, the progress made to date on obtaining...
    • Venture Capital Programmes
      Question 32: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the venture capital funds that have been established through her Department and its agencies; the amounts...
    • Departmental Expenditure
      Question 33: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the breakdown of the specific programme changes made by her Department to achieve the budgetary savings...
    • FÁS Training Programmes
      Question 34: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of applications for FÁS ten week courses in 2009; the number of applications for FÁS 20 week...
    • Departmental Agencies
      Question 35: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the agencies under her remit who process entitlement payments; the number of staff who process entitlement...
    • County Enterprise Boards
      Question 39: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the role the county enterprise boards will have in assessing flood damage to businesses, homes and the farming...
    • Departmental Agencies
      Question 40: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will provide a breakdown of the budget allocated to FÁS in 2010; the way in which this compares to...
    • Fraud Investigations
      Question 41: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when she expects the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement to conclude its investigation into a...
    • Departmental Agencies
      Question 42: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the budget and staff allocation of the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement every year since 2007;...
    • Employment Rights
      Question 43: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if sufficient resources will be made available to the Employment Appeals Tribunal, which is under the aegis of...
    • FÁS Training Programmes
      Question 44: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of staff employed at the centre of excellence at Mount Locus, County Offaly; the grade of same...
    • Redundancy Payments
      Question 48: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding a payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork.. [48185/09]
    • Employment Support Services
      Question 49: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason the second call under the employment subsidy scheme excludes companies with ten employees or fewer;...
    • Redundancy Payments
      Question 50: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason an application in respect of a person (details supplied) for payment of redundancy from the social...
  • Department of Finance
    • Financial Services Regulation
      Question 51: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will investigate the refusal by an insurance company to honour cover commitments arising from a claim for a break-in to premises (details...
    • Flood Relief
      Question 52: To ask the Minister for Finance the amount spent on flood prevention works in Waterford during 2008; and the projects this money was spent on. [47957/09]
    • Tax Code
      Question 53: To ask the Minister for Finance the carbon tax yield per annum which will be derived from agricultural emissions; the cost per urban and rural household of the carbon tax as...
    • Architectural Heritage
      Question 54: To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding a matter (details supplied). [47762/09]
    • Flood Relief
      Question 55: To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding a matter (details supplied). [47763/09]
    • Departmental Staff
      Question 56: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of staff employed by his Department on 1 January 2009; and the number of staff employed on 10 December 2009. [47792/09]
    • Flood Relief
      Question 57: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will support a matter (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [47836/09]
    • Tax Code
      Question 58: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of non-resident Irish nationals who will be subject to the domicile levy in the 2010 budget; the revenue which will be raised; and if he...
    • Decentralisation Programme
      Question 59: To ask the Minister for Finance when he will announce the date for the relocation of the Department of Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs to Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • Tax Code
      Question 60: To ask the Minister for Finance if the tax arrangements being utilised by a company (details supplied) to hire pilots who work for an airline are in compliance with the Finance...
    • Capital Expenditure
      Question 63: To ask the Minister for Finance when the review of capital expenditure priorities referred to in budget 2010 will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47863/09]
    • National Debt
      Question 64: To ask the Minister for Finance his forecasts of the national debt for each year for the next five years; his forecast of the interest payable on that debt; and if he will make a...
    • Budgetary Policy
      Question 65: To ask the Minister for Finance the basis for his forecast of expenditure receipts and balances for the period 2009-14 as set out in the Table 10 of the stability programme update;...
    • Tax Yield
      Question 71: To ask the Minister for Finance the expected yield from income levies in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47871/09]
    • Tax Code
      Question 72: To ask the Minister for Finance his estimate of the full year impact of a 1% change in the 2% levy on incomes between €15,028 and €75,036; the expected yield from that levy in...
    • Departmental Expenditure
      Question 77: To ask the Minister for Finance the breakdown of the programme changes that will be made in his Department, the Office of Public Works and the Revenue Commissioners to achieve the...
    • Departmental Bodies
      Question 78: To ask the Minister for Finance the public service bodies including, inter alia, State agencies, State bodies and commercial State companies whose employees are not subject to the...
    • Tax Yield
      Question 80: To ask the Minister for Finance the amount of income tax paid by persons in the Waterford area for the years 2004 to 2009 broken down by year. [47967/09]
    • Tax Code
      Question 81: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will review the impact of tax individualisation in circumstances when due to a disability a spouse is not in a position to take up employment...
    • Flood Relief
      Question 82: To ask the Minister for Finance, further to Parliamentary Question No. 78 of 10 December 2009, the amount of funding made available by the Office of Public Works to Cork County...
    • Departmental Agencies
      Question 83: To ask the Minister for Finance the agencies under his remit that process entitlement payments; the number of staff who process entitlement payments broken down by agency; and if he...
    • Bank Closures
      Question 87: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will investigate the decision by the Danish owned National Irish Bank to close 25 branches and businesses here leaving many communities...
    • Tax Code
      Question 88: To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48085/09]
    • Pension Provisions
      Question 89: To ask the Minister for Finance, further to Parliamentary Question No. 111 of 9 December 2009, if he will provide the details of the 25 pensions with additional awards approved by...
    • Tax Code
      Question 90: To ask the Minister for Finance the way a carbon tax of €15 a tonne will change the price of a litre of unleaded gasoline, a litre of diesel, housing natural gas kWh, 1,000 litres...
    • Departmental Expenditure
      Question 91: To ask the Minister for Finance in view of the underspend of approximately €35 million on energy efficiency schemes in the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural...
    • Flood Relief
      Question 92: To ask the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the flooding at Cockstown West, Ardrahan, County Galway in which two houses have been flooded for the past three...
    • Tax Code
      Question 93: To ask the Minister for Finance, further to his budget announcement regarding the extension of mortgage interest for home owners in negative equity, the basis and the person by whom...
    • National Monuments
      Question 94: To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding the proposed Kennedy memorial homestead, County Wexford; the estimated cost of this project; and if he will make a statement...
  • Department of Health and Children
    • Disabled Drivers
      Question 95: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the high and low rates of mobility allowance which will apply in 2010. [47744/09]
    • Medical Cards
      Question 96: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will ensure a person (details supplied) in County Sligo will have their general practitioner visit card reinstated as a matter of...
    • Hospital Waiting Lists
      Question 97: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if a person (details supplied) will be called for their cerebral angiogram in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, prior to the date they have been...
    • Medical Cards
      Question 99: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the status of a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter....
    • Health Services
      Question 100: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will support a matter (details supplied). [47769/09]
    • Hospital Services
      Question 102: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will assist a person (details supplied) in respect of an ENT procedure at Waterford Regional Hospital. [47779/09]
    • Adoption Services
      Question 103: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will clarify if post adoption services will be included in the Adoption Bill for the 40,000 plus adopted people here and the...
    • Departmental Staff
      Question 104: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of staff employed by her Department on 1 January 2009; and the number of staff employed on 10 December 2009; and if she will...
    • Foreign Adoptions
      Question 105: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the interim measures she intends to put in place in respect of foreign adoption applicants who have submitted applications in advance of...
    • Hospital Services
      Question 106: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason for the delay in upgrading the sterilisation facilities at Roscommon County Hospital; when construction will commence; and if...
    • Health Services
      Question 107: To ask the Minister for Health and Children, further to Parliamentary Question No. 515 of 3 November 2009, the position regarding the home care package for west Wicklow; if in view...
    • Medical Cards
      Question 109: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the status of an application for a medical card renewal in respect of a person (details supplied). [47848/09]
    • Health Services
      Question 110: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of doctors who have contracted to offer general practitioner services in the proposed primary care centre at a site in...
    • Vaccination Programme
      Question 111: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when she intends to roll out the cervical cancer vaccination programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47903/09]
    • Mental Health Services
      Question 112: To ask the Minister for Health and Children, further to Parliamentary Question No. 208 of 23 June 2009, if she will provide an update on the funding issue; and if she will make a...
    • Health Services
      Question 113: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of hours being provided under the home help scheme in County Donegal in 2009; the number of hours that will be provided per...
    • General Medical Services Scheme
      Question 114: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when a reply will issue from the Health Service Executive to Parliamentary Question No. 145 of 12 November 2009. [47919/09]
    • Hospital Staff
      Question 115: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of unfilled vacancies at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9; the areas in which they are located; and if she will make a statement...
    • Departmental Agencies
      Question 116: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the agencies under her remit who process entitlement payments; the number of staff who process entitlement payments broken down by...
    • Health Service Staff
      Question 120: To ask the Minister for Health and Children further to a reply to a previous parliamentary question, if one of the Health Service Executive posts of dedicated officer for elder...
    • Medical Cards
      Question 121: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the status of a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Meath. [48067/09]
    • Health Service Staff
      Question 122: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of staff employed in the Health Service Executive by grade category (details supplied) as at the end of 2009; and if she will...
    • Hospital Staff
      Question 123: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide details of staff categories within each grade category, for example the details on all nursing grades; the number of...
    • Health Service Staff
      Question 125: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of psychiatric nurses working in mental health services broken down by grade on 1 January 2005 and the end of June 2009; and...
    • Departmental Expenditure
      Question 132: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide details of the way in which budget 2010 savings of €141 million in drugs costs will be achieved; and if she will...
    • Nursing Homes Support Scheme
      Question 134: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of persons who have applied for the new nursing home package replacing subvention; the number of cases sanctioned to date; if...
    • Health Services
      Question 135: To ask the Minister for Health and Children, further to a previous parliamentary question, if she will review the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8; and if she will...
    • Medical Cards
      Question 137: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on the fact that the transfer of the processing of medical card applications for the over 70 years to the Health Service...
    • Health Service Staff
      Question 141: To ask the Minister for Health and Children to explain the reason three public dentist positions remain unfilled in the Cavan and Monaghan area; the duration of these vacancies;...
    • Hospital Waiting Lists
      Question 142: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22, who is in constant pain with a knee problem, and has been referred to an...
    • Medical Cards
      Question 143: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if children aged 14 to 16 years of unemployed parents are covered for treatment and examination by dentists under their parents' medical...
    • Hospital Waiting Lists
      Question 144: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 has to wait 14 months for a heart echocardiogram and angiogram for which they were...
    • Health Service Staff
      Question 145: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her plans to proceed with the transfer of community welfare officers from the aegis of the Health Service Executive; the way in which it...
  • Department of Transport
    • State Property
      Question 146: To ask the Minister for Transport the reason Mayo County Council is refusing to allow a caretaker's agreement regarding a venture (details supplied); and if he will make a...
    • Cycle Facilities
      Question 147: To ask the Minister for Transport if his Department has received any proposal from Cork City Council regarding plans to introduce a public bicycle scheme similar to that put in...
    • Departmental Staff
      Question 149: To ask the Minister for Transport the number of staff employed by his Department on 1 January 2009; and the number of staff employed on 10 December 2009. [47798/09]
    • Departmental Expenditure
      Question 150: To ask the Minister for Transport the breakdown of the programme changes that will be made in order to achieve the savings in his Department outlined in budget 2010; and if he will...
    • Departmental Reports
      Question 151: To ask the Minister for Transport, further to Parliamentary Question No. 572 of 16 September 2009, the position regarding the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Departmental Bodies
      Question 152: To ask the Minister for Transport the remuneration package of the chief executive of the Irish Aviation Authority for each of the years 2007, 2008 and 2009; if he has legal power...
    • Rural Transport
      Question 154: To ask the Minister for Transport the amount of funding that has been allocated to the rural transport programme under budget 2010; the amount that will be directly allocated to...
    • Smarter Travel Policy
      Question 155: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will report on the increase from €10 million to €25 million for the smarter travel programme under budget 2010; if he will indicate the...
    • Departmental Expenditure
      Question 156: To ask the Minister for Transport the status of the proposals on transport contained in the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes; if he is considering...
    • Public Transport
      Question 158: To ask the Minister for Transport the public service obligation allocation for CIE, Irish Rail, Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus under budget 2010. [47998/09]
    • Road Network
      Question 159: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will report on the 15% reduction in roads improvement and maintenance budget under the 2010 transport capital budget; the road building and...
    • Public Transport
      Question 160: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will report on the capital provision for public transport investment in budget 2010; the Transport 21 infrastructure projects that have no...
    • Departmental Expenditure
      Question 161: To ask the Minister for Transport the funding that has been allocated to the Road Safety Authority under budget 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48001/09]
    • Departmental Agencies
      Question 163: To ask the Minister for Transport the agencies under his remit who process entitlement payments; the number of staff who process entitlement payments broken down by agency; and if...
    • Departmental Expenditure
      Question 167: To ask the Minister for Transport, further to a recent parliamentary question, if he will confirm a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48156/09]
  • Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform
    • Departmental Correspondence
      Question 168: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48086/09]
    • Departmental Staff
      Question 169: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of staff employed by his Department on 1 January 2009; and the number of staff employed on 10 December 2009....
    • Departmental Expenditure
      Question 170: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the breakdown of the programmatic changes that will be made in order to achieve the savings in his Department outlined in...
    • Departmental Correspondence
      Question 171: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his office has received correspondence from a city council (details supplied) in relation to concerns expressed about...
    • Courts Service
      Question 172: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will consider extending the role of the small claims court to deal with disputes between businesses involving sums of...
    • Drug Seizures
      Question 173: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the amount of drugs seized in County Waterford during 2009. [47971/09]
    • Criminal Prosecutions
      Question 174: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of drug charges brought in County Waterford during 2009. [47972/09]
    • Garda Operations
      Question 175: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí based in County Waterford that were injured in the course of duty during 2009. [47973/09]
    • Departmental Agencies
      Question 176: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the agencies under his remit who process entitlement payments; the number of staff who process entitlement payments broken...
    • Deportation Orders
      Question 180: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will review the proposal to deport a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement...
    • Citizenship Applications
      Question 181: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress to date in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • Residency Permits
      Question 182: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the residency status of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Citizenship Applications
      Question 183: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of an application for citizenship in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a...
    • Residency Permits
      Question 184: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for residency in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if he will...
    • Citizenship Applications
      Question 185: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason for the delay in issuing citizenship in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if he will make...
    • Asylum Applications
      Question 186: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will re-examine the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Residency Permits
      Question 187: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the residency status of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a...
    • Refugee Status
      Question 189: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the procedures followed in the application for refugee and residency status in the case of a person (details supplied) in...
    • Citizenship Applications
      Question 190: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the process of citizenship will be completed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he...
    • Residency Permits
      Question 191: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the residency status of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48117/09]
    • Asylum Applications
      Question 193: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, further to Parliamentary Question No. 219 of 2 December 2009, if an examination was sufficiently detailed to justify the...
    • Juvenile Offenders
      Question 195: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of young offenders attending Westview House from both the probation service and the day centre being run by Ogra...
  • Department of Foreign Affairs
    • Human Rights Issues
      Question 196: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the current Anti-Homosexuality Bill in the Parliament of Uganda; if he has expressed his concerns abut this Bill to the Ugandan...
    • Overseas Development Aid
      Question 197: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs in view of the recently announced commitment that Ireland will contribute €100 million to help developing nations cope with the effects of...
    • Human Rights Issues
      Question 198: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the negotiations for a free trade agreement with Colombia; and if he supports the call that negotiations be suspended in view...
    • Departmental Staff
      Question 199: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of staff employed by his Department on 1 January 2009; and the number of staff employed on 10 December 2009. [47789/09]
    • Departmental Expenditure
      Question 200: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the breakdown of the programme changes that will be made in order to achieve the savings in his Department outlined in budget 2010; and if...
    • Foreign Conflicts
      Question 201: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his position in relation to an incident (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47932/09]
    • Departmental Agencies
      Question 202: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the agencies under his remit who process entitlement payments; the number of staff who process entitlement payments broken down by agency;...
    • Passport Applications
      Question 206: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason a passport has not been returned to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
  • Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism
    • Tourism Industry
      Question 207: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will explain the proposed reduced price transport for senior citizens from other countries scheme highlighted in budget 2010;...
    • Departmental Staff
      Question 208: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of staff employed by his Department on 1 January 2009; and the number of staff employed on 10 December 2009. [47790/09]
    • Departmental Expenditure
      Question 209: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the breakdown of the programmatic changes that will be made by his Department to achieve the savings in his Department, as outlined...
    • Departmental Agencies
      Question 210: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the agencies under his remit who process entitlement payments; the number of staff who process entitlement payments broken down by...
    • Tourism Industry
      Question 215: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if his attention has been drawn to the financial position of hotels, pubs and guest houses in the current economic climate; his...
    • Arts Funding
      Question 216: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his plans to encourage the development of local community support facilities such as community centres or theatres; and if he will...
    • Sport and Recreational Development
      Question 217: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his plans to offer a programme of enhanced grant aid for the provision of local and community based indoor sporting and recreational...
    • Decentralisation Programme
      Question 218: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the extent to which decentralisation targets have been met by his Department to date in 2009; the cost to date; and if he will make...
    • Sport and Recreational Development
      Question 221: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the degree to which funding through his Department has been allocated and drawn down by the sporting and recreational bodies to...
    • Museum Accommodation
      Question 222: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the extent to which museum space here is sufficient to accommodate the display of all items of historical significance; and if he...
    • Sport and Recreational Development
      Question 223: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his plans to target areas of social deprivation in the provision of grants for major sporting and recreational facilities; and if he...
  • Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs
    • Community Development
      Question 227: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he has considered documentation submitted by this Deputy on 8 December 2009 following his meeting (details...
    • Departmental Staff
      Question 228: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of staff employed by his Department on 1 January 2009; and the number of staff employed on 10 December...
    • Blacksmithing Industry
      Question 229: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will indicate the work of Ceárta Inneoa Teo over the past five years; the extent of the blacksmithing industry...
    • Departmental Expenditure
      Question 230: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the breakdown of the changes that will be made to programmes overseen by his Department in order to achieve the...
    • Departmental Agencies
      Question 231: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the agencies under his remit who process entitlement payments; the number of staff who process entitlement payments...
    • Security of the Elderly
      Question 235: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the budget allocation for the scheme of community supports in respect of older people in 2010; the number of elderly...
    • Departmental Expenditure
      Question 236: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 295 and 296 of 13 October 2009, his views on that fact that some agencies...
  • Department of Social and Family Affairs
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      Question 237: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of social welfare claims excluding pensions paid in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter....
    • Departmental Staff
      Question 242: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of staff employed by her Department on 1 January 2009 and the number of staff employed on 10 December 2009; and if she...
    • Social Welfare Appeals
      Question 244: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a decision will be made on a back to school allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied). [47841/09]
    • Social Insurance
      Question 245: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her estimate of the full year impact of a 1% change in the higher rate of employers PRSI; and if she will make a statement on the...
    • Social Welfare Code
      Question 251: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the checks that are carried out to ascertain if people have been accused of, alleged to be or involved in anti-social behaviour in...
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      Question 252: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of persons receiving rent allowance in County Mayo; and the number of these recipients who are on the local authority...
    • Money Advice and Budgeting Service
      Question 254: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of people in Cork city and county who have availed of the services of the money advice and budgeting service in 2007,...
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      Question 257: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the regulations and statutory framework, which her Department relies upon, to restrict a person's ability to collect arrears of...
    • Departmental Agencies
      Question 258: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the agencies under her remit who process entitlement payments; the number of staff who process entitlement payments broken down by...
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      Question 262: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if mortgage supplement will be awarded in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a...
    • Social Welfare Appeals
      Question 265: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will provide in respect of 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009 the number of appeals made under each scheme for all social...
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      Question 266: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the arrangements in respect of fuel allowance or other measures that are planned to alleviate the extra cost of fuels on poor...
  • Department of Defence
    • Irish Red Cross
      Question 267: To ask the Minister for Defence his views on whether the Irish Red Cross's reputation and credibility within the International Red Cross movement has been damaged or compromised in...
    • Departmental Staff
      Question 270: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of staff employed by his Department on 1 January 2009; and the number of staff employed on 10 December 2009. [47801/09]
    • Departmental Expenditure
      Question 271: To ask the Minister for Defence the breakdown of the changes that will be made to programmes overseen by his Department to achieve the savings set out for his Department in budget...
    • Defence Forces Reserve
      Question 272: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of persons in the Reserve Defence Force qualified for gratuity in 2009 by unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47933/09]
    • Departmental Agencies
      Question 274: To ask the Minister for Defence the agencies under his remit who process entitlement payments; the number of staff who process entitlement payments broken down by agency; and if he...
    • Departmental Staff
      Question 278: To ask the Minister for Defence his views on the position of a civilian employee (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48087/09]
  • Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government
    • Proposed Legislation
      Question 280: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will amend the landlord and tenant legislation to ensure that landlords are responsible for the proper...
    • Departmental Staff
      Question 282: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of staff employed by his Department on 1 January 2009; and the number of staff employed on 10...
    • Water Services
      Question 283: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he intends to charge for the lease of water meters in respect of domestic customers; and if he will make a...
    • Farm Inspections
      Question 284: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of farm inspections carried out by local authorities to date in 2009 under the nitrates...
    • Water and Sewerage Schemes
      Question 285: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the status of a project (details supplied) in County Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • Designated Areas
      Question 286: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of hectares in each county that are designated candidate special areas of conservation and natural...
    • Local Authority Funding
      Question 289: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the system which will be used for the valuation of land in order to introduce a site valuation tax; the...
    • Departmental Expenditure
      Question 291: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the breakdown, according to programme or agency, of the way in which the savings estimated for his Department...
    • Local Authority Housing
      Question 292: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his Department has carried out a cost-benefit analysis of long-term leasing of housing for social...
    • EU Directives
      Question 293: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he intends to publish the final groundwater environmental objectives regulations; and if he will make a...
    • Local Authority Housing
      Question 294: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, further to Parliamentary Question No. 152 of 2 July 2009, when funding will be provided for the rural...
    • Flood Relief
      Question 295: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of households, businesses and farms in County Waterford affected by the recent floods. [47958/09]
    • Departmental Agencies
      Question 296: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the agencies under his remit who process entitlement payments; the number of staff who process entitlement...
    • Proposed Legislation
      Question 300: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will confirm that there are no plans to regulate or ban any country or fields sports or game shooting...
    • Social and Affordable Housing
      Question 301: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the way the cut of 27% in the social housing budget will affect the roll out of social housing units; and if...
    • Local Government Reform
      Question 305: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the way in which the local government efficiency review group will be constituted; its members and the way...
    • Water and Sewerage Schemes
      Question 306: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the status of the proposal to improve the treatment works at Tourmakeady, County Mayo for the Lough Mask...
    • Building Regulations
      Question 308: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views regarding concerns from practising architects on the delays in the technical assessment process;...
  • Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
    • Inland Fisheries
      Question 309: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will reopen the River Maine in County Kerry for fishing in 2010 in view of the scientific data available...
    • Departmental Staff
      Question 310: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of staff employed by his Department on 1 January 2009; and the number of staff employed on 10...
    • Departmental Expenditure
      Question 311: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the details of the programme changes that will be made by his Department in order to achieve the savings...
    • Departmental Agencies
      Question 312: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the remuneration package of the chief executive of An Post for each of the years 2007, 2008 and 2009; if he has...
    • Energy Conservation
      Question 314: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if funding will be provided for the warmer homes initiative scheme in 2010. [47964/09]
    • Electricity Generation
      Question 317: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if it is the position, that the ESB is charging people €8,000 of a fee in order for such person to apply for...
    • Departmental Agencies
      Question 318: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the agencies under his remit who process entitlement payments; the number of staff who process entitlement...
    • Commercial Semi-State Bodies
      Question 322: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the way that he intends to drive efficiencies in semi-State companies under the remit of his Department; if...
    • Broadcasting Services
      Question 323: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the contract signing with a company (details supplied) for digital terrestrial...
    • Road Transport Fuels
      Question 324: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his position regarding biofuels; when he will introduce the biofuels obligation; the further position regarding...
    • Inland Fisheries
      Question 325: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the role of anglers in relation to the restructuring of the inland fisheries sector; his further...
    • Telecommunications Services
      Question 326: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the recent OECD figures showing Ireland at 20 out of a table of 30 countries for broadband access...
    • Postal Services
      Question 327: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the type of post code he will introduce; the proposed cost; the cost of each report looking into post codes...
    • Departmental Agencies
      Question 330: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress made in relation to the relocation of the Central Fisheries Board to Carrick-on-Shannon, County...
    • Energy Conservation
      Question 332: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the recommendations made to the Department of Finance regarding the allocation of €75 million for energy...
  • Department of Agriculture and Food
    • Afforestation Programme
      Question 333: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the breakdown of how the €121 million announced in budget 2010 to support forestry and bioenergy will be disbursed; the...
    • Food Industry
      Question 334: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the breakdown of how the €9.5 million announced in budget 2010 to support the food industry will be disbursed; the number...
    • Grant Payments
      Question 335: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when REPS 4 will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47753/09]
    • Farm Retirement Scheme
      Question 336: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding an application for early retirement in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a...
    • Grant Payments
      Question 339: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if an appeal will be arranged in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [47787/09]
    • Departmental Staff
      Question 341: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of staff employed by his Department on 1 January 2009; the number of staff employed on 10 December 2009; and if...
    • Grant Payments
      Question 342: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will be awarded both his REPS and single farm payments due to him. [47807/09]
    • Farm Inspections
      Question 343: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of farm nitrates inspections under full cross compliance in 2009; the total number of on-farm inspections in...
    • Animal Identification Scheme
      Question 344: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will outline the procedure for the roll-out of the sheep electronic identification; if he will ensure that this is...
    • Departmental Expenditure
      Question 345: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the changes to programmes overseen by his Department which account for the €248 million net decrease in expenditure...
    • Departmental Schemes
      Question 346: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will reverse the closure of the early retirement scheme and the installation aid scheme; and if he will make a...
    • Departmental Agencies
      Question 347: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the details of the remuneration package of the chief executive of Coillte for each of the years 2007, 2008 and 2009; if he...
    • Rural Environment Protection Scheme
      Question 349: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress being made on the provision of a new REP scheme. [47959/09]
    • Food Safety
      Question 351: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the proposed legislation banning the sale of unpasteurised milk will contain provisions for a derogation for individual...
    • Grant Payments
      Question 352: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will expedite a cross compliance check on a REPS 4 application by a person (details supplied) in County Cork in view...
    • Common Fisheries Policy
      Question 353: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a formal submission to the EU Commission on proposals as contained in the Green Paper published earlier in...
    • Departmental Agencies
      Question 354: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the agencies under his remit who process entitlement payments; the number of staff who process entitlement payments broken...
    • Grant Payments
      Question 358: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their REP scheme payment. [48042/09]
    • Lost at Sea Scheme
      Question 359: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on the Ombudsman's report on the lost at sea scheme; the financial outlay which will result from the publication...
    • Afforestation Programme
      Question 360: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of new forestry hectares which will be delivered in 2010 under the budget 2010 allocation; and if he will make a...
    • National Herd
      Question 361: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of cattle in the national herd; the number of cattle in the national herd at the end of years 1995, 2000 and...
    • Grant Payments
      Question 362: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason for the delay in payment of installation aid to a person (details supplied) in Cork South West in view of the...
  • Department of Education and Science
    • Higher Education Grants
      Question 366: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when a decision will issue on an education grant in respect of a person (details supplied). [47830/09]
    • Special Educational Needs
      Question 367: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the facilities that are to be made available for autistic children; the level of satisfaction with training provided for an autistic...
    • Departmental Expenditure
      Question 368: To ask the Minister for Education and Science following budget 2010 the percentage of his Department's budget that will now be spent on salaries and pensions; and if he will make a...
    • Schools Building Projects
      Question 369: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when an application to extend or build a new school in respect of a school (details supplied) was received by his Department; when a...
    • School Accommodation
      Question 372: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the status of an application for funding towards insulation in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; when a...
    • Departmental Staff
      Question 373: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of staff employed by his Department on 1 January 2009; and the number of staff employed on 10 December 2009. [47795/09]
    • Special Educational Needs
      Question 374: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will reverse the withdrawal of a special needs assistant from a school (details supplied) in County Roscommon. [47818/09]
    • Disadvantaged Status
      Question 376: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a large proportion of pupils enrolled in a primary school (details supplied)...
    • Higher Education Grants
      Question 377: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when a decision will issue on a higher education grant in respect of a person (details supplied). [47843/09]
    • Departmental Expenditure
      Question 378: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount of his capital budget for 2009 that will be spent by year end; the amount that will be carried forward to 2010; the amount...
    • School Staffing
      Question 380: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if, further to his Parliamentary Questions Nos. 566 and 567 of 20 October 2009, the allocation of €14 million for 600 posts at...
    • Schools Recognition
      Question 382: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will respond to the submission from the Educate Together movement to be recognised as a patron for post-primary education....
    • School Funding
      Question 383: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will recognise the difference in the structure of funding of Protestant secondary schools and reinstate the previous supports...
    • Higher Education Grants
      Question 384: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to third level students who do not qualify for the third level grant in view of the fact that their parents...
    • Pupil-Teacher Ratio
      Question 386: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of students in classes of 30 pupils or more on a county basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47949/09]
    • Teaching Inspections
      Question 388: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of teaching inspections carried out in Waterford in 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009. [47975/09]
    • Higher Education Qualifications
      Question 389: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to reports that suggest the number of first class honours degrees being awarded in colleges and...
    • Departmental Agencies
      Question 390: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the agencies under his remit who process entitlement payments; the number of staff who process entitlement payments broken down by...
    • Schools Building Projects
      Question 395: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the schools in County Offaly that have made an application for works under the schools building programme; when these schools applied;...
    • Student Support Schemes
      Question 396: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his views on a document (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48170/09]
    • Schools Building Projects
      Question 397: To ask the Minister for Education and Science in view of the meeting between his Department and a school (details supplied) on Thursday, 12 November 2009, which took place to brief...
    • Special Educational Needs
      Question 398: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the assessment for dyslexia in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [48210/09]
    • School Staffing
      Question 399: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the teacher supply panel; if the system has been evaluated and confirmed as good value for money and...
    • Special Educational Needs
      Question 400: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will ensure the special needs assistant services will continue in respect of a child at a school (details supplied) in County...