Written answers

Thursday, 22 April 2010

  • Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government
    • Proposed Legislation
      Question 10: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to introduce legislation for a directly elected Mayor of Dublin; and if he will make a statement on...
    • Local Government Reform
      Question 11: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he expects to receive a report from the local government efficiency review group; and if he will make a...
    • Climate Change Strategy
      Question 12: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps he has taken in relation to the commitment contained in the Programme for Government to establish a...
    • Planning Issues
      Question 13: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he is satisfied that all building in the docklands area of Dublin is compliant with the planning schemes...
    • Social and Affordable Housing
      Question 14: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of vacant houses here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16044/10]
    • Genetically Modified Organisms
      Question 15: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he expects any applications to cultivate the recently approved GM Amflora potato crop following its...
    • Water Meters
      Question 17: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to roll out the water metering system to all properties prior to the intended imposition of water...
    • Climate Change Strategy
      Question 18: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the schedule in the National Climate Change to prepare a Climate Change Adaption...
    • Local Authority Charges
      Question 19: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to assist local authorities to recover outstanding development levies; and if he will make a...
    • Social and Affordable Housing
      Question 20: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans, if any, to ensure that the surplus housing stock is utilised to meet the housing needs of the...
    • Local Authority Housing
      Question 21: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the local authority housing waiting lists, broken down by local authority, as of 1 March 2010; the number of...
    • Unfinished Housing Estates
      Question 22: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of unfinished housing estates here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16037/10]
    • Local Authority Funding
      Question 23: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the financial provision made available to local authorities in 2010 to enable them to deal with the problem of...
    • Local Government Reform
      Question 24: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he intends to publish the White Paper on Local Government Reform; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • Electoral Management System
      Question 25: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the Interdepartmental Task Force into the disposal of electronic voting equipment will report; the costs...
    • Departmental Bodies
      Question 26: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the debt liabilities of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • International Agreements
      Question 27: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps he has taken to transpose the European Union Public Participation Directive to give rights to the...
    • Dublin Docklands Development Authority
      Question 28: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he is satisfied with the manner in which his Department exercised its oversight role in relation to the...
    • Urban Renewal Schemes
      Question 29: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding housing regeneration projects for Croke Villas, St. Teresa's Gardens, Jamestown Road,...
    • House Price Database
      Question 30: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the need to bring forward proposals, and make the necessary legislative changes, for a house...
    • Social and Affordable Housing
      Question 32: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the methodology used to calculate local market rents which are used in establishing leasing costs under Social...
    • Local Authority Housing
      Question 34: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount by which the housing capital expenditure increased or decreased by each local authority in the...
    • Social and Affordable Housing
      Question 35: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress made towards the introduction of a rent to buy scheme to deal with the problem of unsold...
    • Waste Management
      Question 37: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will ensure the implementation of the National Strategy on Biodegradable Waste which aims to divert 80...
    • Homeless Persons
      Question 38: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of additional homeless households that were housed in 2009 and in the first quarter of 2010 above...
    • Social and Affordable Housing
      Question 40: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the direction or guidelines that have been issued to local authorities regarding social housing applicants who...
    • Water Services Regulations
      Question 41: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps he is taking to ensure that Ireland is complying with European Communities (Drinking Water)...
    • Waste Management
      Question 42: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 29 of 24 June 2009 the progress, if any, made regarding the appointment...
    • Social and Affordable Housing
      Question 43: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the method by which unsold affordable units are to be accommodated under the Social Housing Leasing...
    • EU Directives
      Question 44: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the EU nitrate level report that had, among other findings, reported that Ireland had rising...
    • Warmer Homes Schemes
      Question 45: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if provision, equivalent to the warmer homes scheme, is available to local authority tenants; and if he will...
    • Social and Affordable Housing
      Question 46: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in view of the recoupment of reinstatement costs for leased units under the social housing leasing initiative,...
    • Water and Sewerage Schemes
      Question 49: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps he has taken to deliver the programme for Government commitment regarding the replacement of septic...
    • Greenhouse Gas Emissions
      Question 50: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount of money estimated, allocated, owing or spent, on the purchase of carbon credits in respect of...
    • Social and Affordable Housing
      Question 51: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the €25 million set aside to pay for leasing in 2010 under the social housing leasing initiative is to...
    • Greenhouse Gas Emissions
      Question 52: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the proposals for carbon credits in relation to flights by Ministers and officials; the way the amount to be...
    • Social and Affordable Housing
      Question 54: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of the promised 2,000 to 4,000 houses that have been brought into social use as part of the general...
    • Water and Sewerage Schemes
      Question 56: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps he has taken to upgrade sewerage and industrial waste water treatment plants to tackle the problem...
    • Litter Pollution
      Question 57: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 29 of 24 June 2009 if the total anti-litter awareness grant scheme 2009...
    • Water Supply
      Question 59: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps he has taken to address the issue of leaking mains and leakage from pipes to ensure that the...
    • Social and Affordable Housing
      Question 62: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the functions that have been assigned to the Affordable Homes Partnership, SHIP 20.10.07, regarding the Social...
    • Planning Issues
      Question 64: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the efforts of local councils to tackle the proliferation of head shops by way of their planning...
    • Proposed Legislation
      Question 65: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to bring forward legislation to allow existing local authority mortgage holders to remortgage...
  • Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation
    • Redundancy Payments
      Question 66: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the date from which the redundancy payment section is currently processing claims; the length of time to process such...
    • Company Registration
      Question 68: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the average time currently taken to process applications to register new companies and the equivalent average processing...
    • Work Permits
      Question 69: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the number of work permits being issued has diminished since the recession started; the numbers of permits outstanding;...
  • Department of Finance
    • Motor Fuels
      Question 70: To ask the Minister for Finance the reason behind the introduction of the 8.7% carbon tax on agricultural diesel as against the 4.4% levy on road diesel; and if he will make a...
    • Flood Relief
      Question 71: To ask the Minister for Finance the action that has taken place in the period since November 2009 to address the issue of flooding in various areas throughout the country; and if he...
    • Pension Provisions
      Question 75: To ask the Minister for Finance the reason State controlled banks continue to pay pensions to former employees who are no longer repaying their loans taken out with their former...
    • Garda Stations
      Question 76: To ask the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 237 of 23 March 2010, the position regarding whether competitive bids have been sought. [16175/10]
    • Motor Fuels
      Question 77: To ask the Minister for Finance if carbon tax will be applicable to marine diesel for fishing boats which are currently exempt from all taxes and duties; and if he will make a...
    • Company Registration
      Question 78: To ask the Minister for Finance the time taken to process applications to register new companies for value added tax and the equivalent average processing times in 2008 and 2009;...
    • Tax Code
      Question 79: To ask the Minister for Finance if preschool child care establishments and crèches are rateable under the Valuation Act 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16235/10]
    • Tax Code
      Question 80: To ask the Minister for Finance the time currently taken to process applications to register new companies for PRSI and PAYE payments as an employer and the equivalent average...
    • Pension Provisions
      Question 82: To ask the Minister for Finance in respect of a pension package for a person (details supplied), if he authorised the benefit improvement before it was granted; if so, if he...
  • Department of Health and Children
    • Hospital Services
      Question 84: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the rationalisation of hospital laboratory services; if she will confirm that the Association of Clinical...
    • Sheltered Housing Projects
      Question 86: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her plans to address the lack of inspection regime for sheltered housing projects in which approximately 6,000 elderly people reside, in...
    • Health Service Staff
      Question 87: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will confirm that the post of Chief Dental Officer was abolished in her Department in 2004; if she will further confirm that there...
    • Medical Cards
      Question 88: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the renewal of an over 70 years medical card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16142/10]
    • Long-Term Illness Scheme
      Question 89: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow, who has been prescribed a drug not covered under the long-term...
    • Health Services
      Question 90: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will review the case of a centre (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16173/10]
    • Mental Health Services
      Question 92: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will report on the local mental health services in the town of Balbriggan, County Dublin, which has a local health centre; if she...
    • Medical Cards
      Question 94: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when a decision will issue on a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied). [16203/10]
    • Hospital Services
      Question 97: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when a bed will become available for a person (details supplied). [16207/10]
    • Medical Cards
      Question 99: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) will receive their medical card. [16215/10]
    • Residential Institutions
      Question 101: To ask the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 247 of 16 February 2010, when a reply will issue. [16281/10]
    • Children in Care
      Question 102: To ask the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 162 of 15 October 2009, when the outstanding information promised by the Health Service Executive...
    • Health Services
      Question 103: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the services available to young persons using out of hours hostel accommodation during the day; the locations of each service; the times...
    • Hospital Services
      Question 104: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when a hospital appointment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim. [16285/10]
  • Department of Transport
    • Rural Transport Services
      Question 105: To ask the Minister for Transport his plans for rural lift in counties Leitrim and Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16222/10]
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      Question 106: To ask the Minister for Transport the position regarding the free travel scheme (details supplied); when this scheme was withdrawn; the person who made the decision. [16189/10]
  • Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform
    • Garda Deployment
      Question 107: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if he will allocate additional resources at Tallaght Garda station, Dublin 24, to allow the Garda to take action to combat racism in...
    • Citizenship Applications
      Question 109: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform when a decision will issue on an application for a citizenship in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [16162/10]
    • Visa Applications
      Question 110: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if he will process an application for a holiday visa in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [16188/10]
    • Garda Stations
      Question 111: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the progress made on the provision of a new Garda station in Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16217/10]
    • Crime Levels
      Question 112: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the reason for the increase in knife crime; the steps the Garda can take to counter such incidents (details supplied); and if he will...
    • Legal Aid Service
      Question 113: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if a person (details supplied) in County Offaly, who is in receipt of a higher education grant and social welfare payments, is liable...
    • Residency Permits
      Question 114: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for family reunification in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he...
    • Deportation Orders
      Question 115: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if he will outline the procedures followed in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8 in respect of their residency...
    • Asylum Applications
      Question 117: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 100 of 18 February 2010, when he expects to have the information available in the...
    • Citizenship Applications
      Question 125: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24 whose late father was an Irish...
    • Asylum Applications
      Question 126: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding a residency application in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will...
    • Citizenship Applications
      Question 128: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding an application for family reunification in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if...
    • Asylum Applications
      Question 129: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding the residency status in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement...
    • Residency Permits
      Question 130: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding the residency status in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22; and if he will make a statement...
    • Deportation Orders
      Question 134: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if a deportation order has been made in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on...
    • Maintenance Orders
      Question 135: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if, in the context of the Enforcement of Court Orders Act, changes are being made to ensure that maintenance orders made pursuant to...
    • Juvenile Offenders
      Question 136: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of children under the age of 12 who have been taken to their parents or guardians by the Gardaí under Section 53 of the...
  • Department of Foreign Affairs
    • International Agreements
      Question 137: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the European Court of Justice judgment in a case (details supplied); if he considers that the same...
    • Consular Assistance
      Question 138: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has assessed the number of persons stranded by the close down of European airspace; if he is ensuring consular assistance and support...
    • Passport Applications
      Question 139: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding the issuing of passports; if there is a backlog of passports to be issued; the number involved; and if he will make a...
  • Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism
    • Sports Capital Funding
      Question 140: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if funding is available to assist sporting organisations whose premises were damaged during recent flooding; and if she will make a...
    • Swimming Pool Projects
      Question 141: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if she will ring-fence funds from the National Lottery for swimming pools; if she is committed to the maintenance of local authority...
  • Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs
    • Community Development
      Question 142: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the organisations in County Clare that have received funding under the Community Support for Older People Programme...
  • Department of Social and Family Affairs
    • Social Welfare Appeals
      Question 143: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a carer's allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo can be re-opened based on the further...
    • Social Welfare Code
      Question 144: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the problems the habitual residence clause is causing for Irish citizens returning home; where...
    • Social Welfare Appeals
      Question 145: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a carer's allowance appeal will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [16166/10]
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      Question 153: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he has made an assessment of the financial impact which the turf cutting ban will have on demands for the fuel allowance...
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      Question 154: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a decision will issue on an appeal for supplementary welfare allowance in respect of a person (details supplied). [16212/10]
  • Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government
    • Local Authority Charges
      Question 157: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason the liability date for the 2010 non-principal private residence charge was brought forward to 31...
    • Building Regulations
      Question 159: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will use his powers under the planning acts and building regulations to address the plight of residents...
    • Water and Sewerage Schemes
      Question 160: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will clarify if batch testing is taking place at the point of entry of toxic waste into the Dublin City...
    • Special Areas of Conservation
      Question 161: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in view of the special area of conservation designated at Tacumshin Lake, County Wexford, if he will provide...
    • Water and Sewerage Schemes
      Question 162: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the devastating impact of code of practice in planning in respect of soils...
    • Special Areas of Conservation
      Question 163: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when a claim for compensation under Regulation 20 of the EC (Natural Habitat) Regulations 1997 to 2005 will...
    • Housing Grants
      Question 165: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the total number of applications for disabled persons grants currently before the various local authorities;...
    • Air Pollution
      Question 166: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the extent, if any, to which air pollution monitoring points throughout the country have recorded any changes...
    • Local Authority Home Loans
      Question 167: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason all local authorities are not accepting applications for the home choice loan scheme; and if he...
    • Social and Affordable Housing
      Question 169: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to meet the housing requirements of persons in the income bracket below €40,000 per annum...
    • Water and Sewerage Schemes
      Question 170: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans for the augmentation of domestic drinking water supply, particularly storage, purification systems...
    • Planning Issues
      Question 172: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the locations throughout County Kildare that were awarded urban renewal, section 23 or other special...
    • Turbary Rights
      Question 174: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the areas in County Westmeath that are subject to restriction orders for turbary owners and for people who...
  • Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
    • Telecommunications Services
      Question 175: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the lack of availability of broadband in the Slieve Bloom areas of counties...
  • Department of Agriculture and Food
    • Grant Payments
      Question 177: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their payment for the suckling grant following their...
    • Farm Retirement Scheme
      Question 178: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food further to Parliamentary Question No. 564 of 16 February 2010, the reason a person (details supplied) in County Clare has...
    • Grant Payments
      Question 179: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their suckler cow welfare payment. [16163/10]
  • Department of Education and Science
    • School Accommodation
      Question 181: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Science if she has received a request for additional funding from a school (details supplied) in Limerick in respect of...
    • Higher Education Grants
      Question 182: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Science if she will reverse the decision to remove the maintenance element of the higher education grant for first-time...
    • Tax Code
      Question 185: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Science if he will support the case of a person (details supplied). [16171/10]
    • Redundancy Payments
      Question 186: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Science when redundancy will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the...
    • Schools Refurbishment
      Question 187: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Science when she expects to announce the funding being granted under the summer works programme; and if she will make a...