Written answers

Wednesday, 13 April 2011

  • Department of Agriculture, Marine and Food
    • Milk Quota
      Question 34: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if changes to the present milk superlevy regime are envisaged to allow Irish dairy farmers to prepare for the abolition of...
    • Agriculture Strategy
      Question 36: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on whether the targets set out in the Food Harvest strategy can be achieved by 2020; and if he will make a...
    • Animal Diseases
      Question 37: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his attention has been drawn to the recent report suggesting that the cost to the State in tourism and other sectors...
    • Departmental Offices
      Question 38: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding the proposed closure of his Department's office in Mullingar, County Westmeath. [7790/11]
    • Common Agricultural Policy
      Question 39: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the bilateral meetings he has had with other EU agriculture Ministers on the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy; and if...
    • Common Fisheries Policy
      Question 40: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his priorities in the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7709/11]
    • Food Industry
      Question 42: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his plans to establish a unified food marketing board for Irish food products; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Common Fisheries Policy
      Question 43: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his proposals to consult with stakeholders in the fishing industry on the negotiations for reform of the Common Fisheries...
    • Milk Quota
      Question 44: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is concerned that Ireland could be over quota in the new 2011 to 2012 milk quota year; and if he will make a statement...
    • Departmental Schemes
      Question 46: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the arrangements that will apply to the agri-environment options scheme in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • Common Fisheries Policy
      Question 47: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his plans to meet the EU Fisheries Commissioner, Maria Damanaki; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7712/11]
    • Forestry Sector
      Question 48: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on the negative impact the privatisation of Coillte would have on the tourism industry in Ireland. [6195/11]
    • Agriculture Policy
      Question 49: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the steps he will take to ensure the achievement of the targets outlined in Food Harvest 2020. [7786/11]
    • Proposed Legislation
      Question 50: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give a commitment to publish and introduce the Animal Health and Welfare Bill in 2011. [7698/11]
    • Live Exports
      Question 51: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the steps he is taking to support a live cattle trade to Britain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7606/11]
    • Afforestation Programme
      Question 53: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his proposals for the 14,700 ha. annual forestry planting programme. [7785/11]
    • Beef Industry
      Question 54: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the steps he will take to ensure a 20% increase in beef production over the next ten years, as set out in Harvest 2020. [7695/11]
    • Common Agricultural Policy
      Question 55: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7702/11]
    • Sheep Industry
      Question 56: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the steps he is taking to support the sheep industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7607/11]
    • Agriculture Policy
      Question 57: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his priorities for the next three months. [7699/11]
    • Agri-Food Sector
      Question 60: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the way the agri-food sector can contribute to the country's economic revival; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Inshore Fishing Industry
      Question 62: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his plans to revive the inshore fishing industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7784/11]
    • Alternative Farm Enterprises
      Question 64: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of applications received in the bioenergy scheme 2011; the number of hectares of planting which will be supported...
    • Agri-Environment Options Scheme
      Question 65: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his plans to open the agri-environment options scheme in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7718/11]
  • Department of Finance
    • Tax Code
      Question 66: To ask the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the situation in which rights have been given to entities outside of Ireland not to disclose matters relevant to...
    • Local Authority Charges
      Question 67: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will consider, in the context of upcoming budgets, the practice by the Revenue Commissioners of demanding a second home payment from property...
    • Capital Projects
      Question 68: To ask the Minister for Finance the construction projects planned by the Office of Public Works for Government agencies in the next five years and the next five to ten years and if...
    • Tax Code
      Question 69: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will reintroduce the excise duty rebate scheme or an alternative scheme of reduced fuel prices for the coach touring holiday business. [7852/11]
    • Mortgage Debt
      Question 70: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of mortgage holders who have tracker mortgages, variable mortgages and fixed mortgages here. [7863/11]
    • Departmental Expenditure
      Question 72: To ask the Minister for Finance the impact of the recent bank deal on Exchequer spending for 2011 and 2012 onwards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7901/11]
    • Banking Sector Regulation
      Question 79: To ask the Minister for Finance if he would reconsider his decision to merge the EBS into AIB in view of the relatively low level of State support for the EBS and the major...
    • Departmental Expenditure
      Question 80: To ask the Minister for Finance when he expects the first expenditure estimates for 2012; if Dáil Éireann will have any input into this process; and if he will make a statement on...
    • Jobs Initiative
      Question 81: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will indicate the timeframe for the preparation and publication of the jobs budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7910/11]
    • State Banking Sector
      Question 82: To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to establish a strategic investment bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7911/11]
    • Debt-to-GDP Ratio
      Question 83: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will indicate the debt-to-GDP ratio to the end of 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7912/11]
    • Mortgage Arrears
      Question 84: To ask the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that borrowers who apply for interest-only options on their mortgages with State-owned banks and who...
    • Tax Code
      Question 85: To ask the Minister for Finance, in view of the fact that the one-parent family tax credit can be withdrawn on the basis that a person is living with another person as man and wife,...
    • Coastal Protection
      Question 86: To ask the Minister for Finance, further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 176 of 30 March 2010 and 67 of 14 October 2010, the position regarding a flood defence wall (details...
  • Department of Education and Skills
    • Podiatry Courses
      Question 87: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students who will graduate as podiatrists in the current year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7808/11]
    • Summer Works Scheme
      Question 88: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has received the health and safety concerns raised in a report supplied to him from a school (details supplied) in County Donegal;...
    • Special Educational Needs
      Question 89: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has any policy in relation to special needs assistants; if he will introduce a panel for SNA's who are fully qualified; and if he...
    • Vocational Education Committees
      Question 90: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will continue the decision of the last Administration to amalgamate vocational education committees. [7823/11]
    • Capital Projects
      Question 91: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the construction projects that are planned by him for the next five years; and if he will provide the list of same and the stage that...
    • School Enrolments
      Question 92: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the primary schools in County Laois that have less than 50 pupils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7834/11]
    • Schools Building Projects
      Question 93: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will investigate the unfinished school building infrastructure at a school (details supplied). [7848/11]
    • Employment Support Services
      Question 94: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has received correspondence from FÁS on the subject of a European Globalisation Fund mobility allowance for an organisation...
    • Schools Refurbishment
      Question 95: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he, in the interests of road and pedestrian safety, will approve an application for emergency funding to carry out essential works to...
    • Site Acquisitions
      Question 96: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the reimbursement of fees and charges incurred as part of the process of identifying and acquiring a site for the...
    • Departmental Expenditure
      Question 97: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will investigate the excess profit margins made by publishers here on school books in view of the fact that many publishers are...
    • Departmental Bodies
      Question 98: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the attendance records of the members of the FETAC council at their council meetings over the past four years; the fees, remuneration,...
    • Higher Education Grants
      Question 99: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to improve the administration of all third level grants; his further plans to create a uniform system to coordinate all third...
    • Bullying in Schools
      Question 100: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the new whole school evaluation MLL model at second level is being used to evaluate the effectiveness of the steps schools are...
    • Higher Education Grants
      Question 101: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application for a student maintenance grant in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and...
    • Value for Money Reviews
      Question 103: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the guidance he will provide to schools participating in the value for money review; the criteria under which they are being assessed;...
    • Schools Building Projects
      Question 104: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a school (details supplied) in County Kildare; the degree to which the full extent of the accommodation has been...
    • Leaving Certificate Syllabus
      Question 105: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students who study mathematics at a higher level but choose to opt for a lower level paper when sitting the Leaving...
  • Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation
    • European Social Charter
      Question 106: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, concerning the Revised European Social Charter for each year from 2002 to 2011 inclusive, the date on which the national...
    • Employment Rights
      Question 108: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the names of all of the cases in the European Court of Human Rights that give rise to the commitment in the programme for...
  • Department of Social Protection
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      Question 110: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons that received support from farm assist in 2010 by county; the total cost of the scheme in 2010 and for the first...
    • Community Employment Schemes
      Question 111: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will be taking on full responsibility for special community employment schemes and, if so, the commencement date of same; and if...
    • Social Welfare Appeals
      Question 113: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when an appeal for domiciliary care scheme payment will be decided in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she...
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      Question 115: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a jobseeker's allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will...
    • Employment Support Services
      Question 117: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons currently participating in the Tús scheme. [7877/11]
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      Question 118: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if the free TV licence scheme will continue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7890/11]
    • Social Welfare Code
      Question 119: To ask the Minister for Social Protection her views on stay-at-home parents who wish to return to work after 20 years being disqualified from going on the live register and...
    • Social Welfare Appeals
      Question 120: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the longest waiting times for social welfare appeals against refusals under the various schemes which were concluded in 2009, 2010 and to...
  • Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
    • Offshore Exploration
      Question 122: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is in any negotiations with regard to the exploration or drilling of oil off the south east coast; if any...
    • Energy Resources
      Question 123: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the implementation of the commitment in the programme for Government to facilitate the development of energy...
    • Telecommunications Services
      Question 124: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason an area (details supplied) in County Longford does not have total broadband coverage; and if he will...
    • Semi-State Companies
      Question 125: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to potential job losses at Bord na Móna's peat operations in Kildare and the...
  • Department of Environment, Community and Local Government
    • Local Authority Funding
      Question 127: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount of money each local authority collected in commercial water charges in 2010; and the total that...
    • Forestry Sector
      Question 128: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will direct the Office of Public Works and Coillte to put in place fire boundaries, cleared strips of...
    • Private Rented Accommodation
      Question 129: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the legal obligations landlords are under to ensure the outward appearance of their properties are...
    • Architectural Heritage
      Question 130: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to provide funding for built heritage as provided for under section 80 of the Planning and...
    • Planning Issues
      Question 131: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to introduce legislation to ensure that rezoning proposals are decided on their merits alone and...
    • Local Authority Housing
      Question 132: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the prospect of addressing the housing list in Dublin City Council's Area B in view of the 1,400 to 1,500...
    • Water and Sewerage Schemes
      Question 133: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number and location of group water schemes approved or funded by him in the past 12 months; the cost of...
    • Port Development
      Question 134: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will not support any attempt to fill in Dublin Bay by the Dublin Port Company. [7952/11]
  • Department of Justice, Equality and Defence
    • Prison Building Programme
      Question 135: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the proposed prison development on a site (details supplied) in County Cork; the proposed timeframe of same; if...
    • Citizenship Applications
      Question 136: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding an application for naturalisation in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; if documentation...
    • Telecommunications Services
      Question 137: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will respond to correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7865/11]
    • Citizenship Applications
      Question 138: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will clarify the position regarding citizenship in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if he will...
    • Refugee Status
      Question 139: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding refugee status in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • Proposed Legislation
      Question 140: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to amend the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 to allow periods of residency in the Six Counties to be considered as...
    • Departmental Funding
      Question 141: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide medical support and expenses to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13. [7954/11]
    • Citizenship Applications
      Question 142: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the average timeframe for the processing of naturalisation applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7955/11]
    • Defence Forces Personnel
      Question 143: To ask the Minister for Defence his plans to introduce a redundancy scheme for the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7811/11]
  • Department of Agriculture, Marine and Food
    • Milk Quota
      Question 144: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he and the European Commission have looked at the markets for milk and milk-based products post-2015, when the expansion...
    • Grant Payments
      Question 145: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will review an application for single farm payment in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Offaly; and if...
    • Special Areas of Conservation
      Question 148: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the criteria used in conducting the baseline study for the special area of conservation in Roaring Water Bay in west Cork;...
    • Foreshore and Aquaculture Licences
      Question 150: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the steps he will take to reduce the processing time for foreshore and aquaculture licences; and if he will make a statement...
    • Grant Payments
      Question 151: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when payment on a REP scheme application will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary. [7934/11]
    • Food Imports
      Question 153: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on the volume of food imports from the United Kingdom in 2009 and 2010; the action he is taking on this issue; and...
    • Grant Payments
      Question 154: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when payment on a REP scheme application will issue to persons (details supplied) in County Tipperary. [7938/11]
    • Departmental Schemes
      Question 155: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of persons in County Meath that availed of the agri-environment options scheme in 2010; the amount allocated to...
    • Sugar Industry
      Question 156: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is considering re-examining the potential of the Irish sugar industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Agricultural Colleges
      Question 157: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the action he is taking to ensure that the staff needed to fulfil the teaching requirements of courses being offered in...
  • Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs
    • Charities Act
      Question 158: To ask the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the position regarding the Charities Act (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7819/11]
    • Departmental Funding
      Question 159: To ask the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs when he will make a decision on the Multyfarnham and Milltownpass application for further funding as was...
    • National Drugs Strategy
      Question 160: To ask the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the steps she will take to advance the national drugs strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter....
  • Department of Health
    • Health Service Staff
      Question 161: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reasons the Health Service Executive proceeded with matters relating to the procurement of agency nurses without the involvement of...
    • Medical Cards
      Question 165: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [7797/11]
    • Health Services
      Question 166: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the support he and the Health Service Executive will provide to an organisation (details supplied) in County Clare catering for children...
    • National Lottery Funding
      Question 167: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when payment will be made to an organisation (details supplied) in County Laois. [7835/11]
    • Capital Projects
      Question 168: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the construction projects planned by the Health Service Executive or by him for the next five years and the following five to ten years;...
    • Health Services
      Question 169: To ask the Minister for Health and Children his plans to restore the dental health scheme for medical card holders and social insurance contributors in the interests of oral...
    • Medical Cards
      Question 170: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding an appeal against a decision to refuse an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details...
    • Hospital Waiting Lists
      Question 171: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason a date has not been set for a procedure in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny and if he will expedite...
    • Ministerial Responsibilities
      Question 172: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if he will be accountable to Dáil Éireann for the actions of the Health Service Executive; if he will respond directly to queries in...
    • Hospital Waiting Lists
      Question 173: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if a person (details supplied) in County Limerick is on the waiting list for a procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Hospital Staff
      Question 174: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the staff to patient ratio in the St. John of God hospital facilities, including residential and non-residential houses in Ireland for...
    • Medical Cards
      Question 175: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding an application for an over 70s medical card in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Cork. [7881/11]
    • Health Services
      Question 177: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason for the delay in providing speech therapy to a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; when ongoing speech therapy will...
    • Health Service Staff
      Question 178: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of nurses qualified in the past ten years and to date 2011; the number of such that have obtained whole time permanent, whole...
    • Health Services
      Question 179: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the extent it is expected, intended or proposed to provide the necessary and urgently required extra accommodation at a health centre...
    • Medical Cards
      Question 180: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [7956/11]
  • Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
    • Roads Network
      Question 181: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to allow more flexibility in the local authority road budget for 2011 in order that roads which were badly damaged...
    • Coast Guard Equipment
      Question 182: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he will take to implement the proposal in the programme for Government to explore the provision of an emergency...
    • Cycle Facilities
      Question 183: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when a final decision will issue on an application for funding for sustainable modes of transport including cycle tracks and...
    • Port Development
      Question 184: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will not support any proposal to fill in 52 acres of Dublin Bay. [7953/11]