Written answers
Thursday, 21 April 2011
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Military Neutrality
Question 12: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether Ireland should be involved in the construction of a new European security system as set out in the Fine...
- Control of Exports
Question 13: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his trade brief includes responsibility for the regulation of the licensing and monitoring of exports and brokering of...
- Programmes for Government
Question 14: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs while there is extensive discussion in the programme for Government of Ireland's role [i]vis-À-vis[/i] the European Union,...
- Foreign Conflicts
Question 15: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will reassert his support for the findings of the Goldstone report on Gaza; and if so, the steps he is taking to...
- Overseas Development Aid
Question 16: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his strategy for reaching the 0.7% of GDP target for investment in overseas aid. [8783/11]
- Foreign Conflicts
Question 17: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an Irish corporation (details supplied) is one of only a few remaining oil...
- Overseas Development Aid
Question 18: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the date on which he will report to the UN on the way Ireland will achieve its millennium goals. [8784/11]
- Foreign Conflicts
Question 21: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on events in the Ivory Coast following the recent elections there and Mr. Gbagbo's refusal to step down in favour of...
- Human Rights Issues
Question 22: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the deteriorating human rights situation in Iran including the detention of a human rights...
- Programmes for Government
Question 23: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, while the imperative of restoring economic growth and hence the foreign policy focus in the programme for Government on...
- Diplomatic Initiatives
Question 24: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he has had discussions with his EU colleagues with a view to generating greater cohesion and solidarity and...
- Military Neutrality
Question 25: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will reassure Dáil Éireann of his commitment to protect Ireland's tradition of neutrality. [8381/11]
- Human Rights Issues
Question 27: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, in view of its follow-up communications report to the 16th session of the UN Human Rights Council in February/March 2011 in...
- International Relations
Question 28: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the way the United States Government's continuing economic, commercial and financial embargo on Cuba is helping to...
- International Organisations
Question 29: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the role if any he will play in preparations for Ireland's chairmanship of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in...
- Foreign Conflicts
Question 30: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his views regarding the continuing policy of illegal Israeli settlement in Palestine's West Bank; and if he will make a...
- Overseas Development Aid
Question 32: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will honour the commitment given at the 2009 Copenhagen Climate Change Summit to pledge €1 million in support for...
- Foreign Conflicts
Question 33: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding his support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state; and if he will make a statement...
- North-South Co-operation
Question 34: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he and his Ministers with direct responsibility for the all-Ireland North-South bodies and agencies have been in contact...
- Certificates of Irish Heritage
Question 35: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding the introduction of a certificate of Irish heritage; if the process will offer applicants the...
- Passport Applications
Question 36: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if the 2011 budget measure introducing fees for passports for older persons will be reversed or ameliorated; and if he will...
- Foreign Military Aircraft
Question 37: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will expand the definition of aircraft subject to the provisions of the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order...
- Rapid Response Corps
Question 39: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of members in the Irish Aid Rapid Response Corps; the location at which they were last deployed; and if he will make...
- Foreign Conflicts
Question 40: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will lend his support to the forthcoming second international peace flotilla to Gaza; and if he will make a statement on...
- Diplomatic Initiatives
Question 41: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to develop closer links with Cuba particularly in relation to trade and tourism. [8871/11]
- Overseas Tourism
Question 42: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of Irish tourists who travelled to Cuba in 2010. [8872/11]
- Consular Services
Question 43: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the advice and support available to Irish citizens who are experiencing business and property problems in Portugal. [8906/11]
- Departmental Staff
Question 44: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of diplomatic staff currently employed, by staff grade level, in the Irish embassies of Riyadh, Abu Dhabi and Cairo;...
- Irish Communities Abroad
Question 45: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of Irish citizens registered with the Irish consulate in Bahrain; the number of Irish citizens estimated to be in...
- Department of Finance
- Tax Reliefs
Question 46: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will continue the cycle to work scheme; and the proposals in place regarding claiming a refund for persons in the scheme. [8965/11]
- Tax Code
Question 47: To ask the Minister for Finance if purchasers of affordable homes are now liable for stamp duty; if so, the reason for this change in the law; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Mortgage Arrears
Question 48: To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to help home owners who find themselves in negative equity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8859/11]
- Tax Collection
Question 49: To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding a matter involving the Revenue (details supplied). [8863/11]
- Tax Code
Question 50: To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding civil partnership (details supplied). [8875/11]
- Charitable Lotteries Scheme
Question 51: To ask the Minister for Finance the extent of Government funding to a company (details supplied); if he has any concern or role in the salary being paid to the CEO; his views on...
- Tax Code
Question 52: To ask the Minister for Finance, further to Parliamentary Question No. 133 of 12 April 2011, if he will further clarify the situation regarding liability for the universal social...
- Departmental Reports
Question 53: To ask the Minister for Finance if he has received a copy of the McCarthy report on State assets and liabilities and if he will have the report presented to the Houses of the...
- Disabled Drivers
Question 54: To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding an application for tax relief on vehicles purchased for use by persons with disabilities in respect of a person (details...
- Tax Clearance Certificates
Question 55: To ask the Minister for Finance if a tax clearance certificate will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick in order to draw down a local authority grant; and if he...
- National Statistics
Question 56: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of PAYE workers earning between €350 to €360, €360 to €370, €380 to €390 and €390 to €400. [8933/11]
- Tax Code
Question 58: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of workers that pay the universal social charge that previously did not pay the health and income levy. [8953/11]
- Border Inspection Posts
Question 59: To ask the Minister for Finance if there are plans to establish a border inspection post at a location (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Pension Provisions
Question 60: To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding civil partnership and the pension rights for service pensions (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the...
- Tax Code
Question 61: To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding top slicing relief; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8979/11]
- Fiscal Policy
Question 62: To ask the Minister for Finance the date on which his plans to introduce mortgage interest relief, moratoriums for householders facing eviction, changes to personal bankruptcy laws,...
- Department of Education and Skills
- School Staffing
Question 63: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding teaching panels (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8862/11]
- Vocational Education Committees
Question 64: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the re-configuration of the vocational education committees is complete, if it would it be possible for Carlow to become...
- Special Educational Needs
Question 65: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the resource hours that he has put on hold will be reviewed and the hours granted to the various schools. [8892/11]
- Schools Funding
Question 66: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there is any contingency funding available to assist a school (details supplied) in County Donegal with heating costs and water rates...
- School Staffing
Question 67: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the appointment of a teacher at a school (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on...
- School Closures
Question 68: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will confirm that he will not close any national schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8911/11]
- Third Level Fees
Question 69: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding college fees (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8924/11]
- Schools Refurbishment
Question 70: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the rejection for funding in respect of a new mainstream classroom for a school (details supplied);...
- Departmental Agencies
Question 71: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills, further to the commitment in the programme for Government 2011-2016 to replace FÁS, if he will clarify the specific functions...
- Special Educational Needs
Question 72: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the qualification requirements for special needs assistants include junior certificate level Irish. [8943/11]
- School Accommodation
Question 74: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the way he will address the critical lack of school places, school facilities and appropriate sites for new schools in the Dublin area...
- School Curriculum
Question 75: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills following the results of the new trial maths curriculum, examined for the first time in 2010, if any changes are proposed to the new...
- Schools Recognition
Question 76: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to recognise a school (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8997/11]
- Schools Building Projects
Question 77: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a list of ongoing construction projects that are planned for completion in primary and post-primary schools in County...
- School Transport
Question 78: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 149 of 12 April 2011, if he will now ensure that the families located at a location (details...
- Special Educational Needs
Question 79: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the decision not to award a reader and spelling and grammar waiver in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will...
- Departmental Expenditure
Question 80: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent of Government funding to a company (details supplied); if he has any concern or role in the salary being paid to the CEO; his...
- Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation
- Work Permits
Question 81: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the position regarding the uptake of employment opportunities in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare;...
- Department of Social Protection
- Social Welfare Benefits
Question 83: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding domiciliary care allowance in respect of autistic children. [8907/11]
- Social Insurance
Question 84: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the cost to the State of reducing employers PRSI from 8.5% to 4.25% for those earning up to €356. [8935/11]
- Social Welfare Appeals
Question 85: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a carer's allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [8994/11]
- Social Welfare Benefits
Question 86: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Dublin was refused rent allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8857/11]
- Social Welfare Appeals
Question 88: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [8874/11]
- Social Welfare Benefits
Question 89: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the review taking place at present in relation to half carer's allowance. [8888/11]
- Proposed Legislation
Question 91: To ask the Minister for Social Protection her plans to amend the conditions of the habitual residence scheme; if so, when will it be announced and if she will outline its main...
- State Agencies
Question 92: To ask the Minister for Social Protection further to the commitment in the programme for Government 2011-2016 to establish a new national employment and entitlements service to...
- Social Welfare Benefits
Question 93: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if Ireland has any agreement with Belgium in regard to social allowance payments; if a Belgian citizen is resident in Ireland and has paid...
- Social Welfare Appeals
Question 94: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Cork who had an appeal for carer's allowance referred to the appeals office in September 2010...
- Social Welfare Benefits
Question 95: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding entitlements in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [9003/11]
- Department of Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht Affairs
- Arts Funding
Question 97: To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport if he will address the situation where a cinema (details supplied) will close due to the exorbitant increase in rent from the...
- Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
- Electricity Transmission Network
Question 98: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the progress of the east-west electricity interconnector and the impact this will have in coming...
- Telecommunications Services
Question 99: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the full roll out of broadband in Waterford, in order that there will be full coverage in...
- Postal Services (1 comment)
Question 101: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the new postcode system has been put out for tender; the position regarding this process; if a decision has...
- Department of Environment, Community and Local Government
- Housing Surveys
Question 102: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he would indicate by means of the National Housing Development Survey 2010 or otherwise the number of...
- Motor Taxation
Question 103: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding commercial vehicle tax (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the...
- Waste Disposal
Question 104: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the engagement he has had with Meath County Council regarding the provision of brown bins in County Meath;...
- Local Authority Charges
Question 105: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to give a policy direction to city and county council managers regarding the pursuit of rate payers...
- Social and Affordable Housing
Question 106: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding proposals by an association (details supplied) to develop a site in County Donegal;...
- Housing Grants
Question 107: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if there are any grants available to carry out refurbishment or repairs to old houses in rural Ireland for...
- Turbary Rights
Question 108: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the sale of bog land in a special area of conservation in respect of a person (details...
- Voluntary Housing Associations
Question 110: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will provide confirmation on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the...
- Department of Justice, Equality and Defence
- Crime Prevention
Question 111: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the regulatory framework in place to deal with gold for money shops, particularly in relation to the recycling of stolen goods; and if...
- Garda Recruitment
Question 112: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to implement the findings of the 2009 An Garda Síochána training and development review group and in particular changes to...
- Garda Vetting of Personnel
Question 113: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will facilitate the issuing of Garda clearance in respect of persons (details supplied). [8869/11]
- Commercial Rent Reviews
Question 115: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on correspondence regarding rent reviews; and if he will respond to same. [8913/11]
- Proposed Legislation
Question 116: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans regarding the introduction of legislation to enhance and enforce the rights of persons with autism. [8937/11]
- Garda Vetting of Personnel
Question 117: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason for the delay in issuing a Garda clearance certificate in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; if the...
- Asylum Applications
Question 118: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will re-examine the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare in view of the fact that they have been in the State...
- Garda Vetting of Personnel
Question 119: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason for the delay in processing of Garda clearance (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8989/11]
- Gaming Regulation
Question 120: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to legal action (details supplied) by the United States Administration against a number of Internet...
- Department of Agriculture, Marine and Food
- Pigmeat Sector
Question 121: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his plans for the Irish pig industry. [8889/11]
- Rural Environment Protection Scheme
Question 122: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the situation regarding his policy on medical evidence as a[i] force majeure[/i] clause under the REP scheme when it is...
- Common Fisheries Policy
Question 123: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, during his recent meeting with EU Fisheries Commissioner, Ms Maria Damanaki, he has received an indication regarding the...
- Grant Payments
Question 125: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding the request for a review of single farm payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County...
- Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs
- Dormant Accounts Fund
Question 126: To ask the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs when a decision will issue on an application for funding under the Dormant Accounts Fund (details supplied); and...
- Department of Health
- Health Services
Question 127: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding support in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8. [8876/11]
- Vaccination Programme
Question 128: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when the cervical cancer vaccine programme will be made available to all school going girls; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Hospital Accommodation
Question 129: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if he will provide a dedicated bed in a private room in general hospitals for cystic fibrosis patients which would create a safer health...
- Health Services
Question 130: To ask the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 34 and 35 of 8 December 2010, the reason no reply has issued to date. [8904/11]
- Health Service Staff
Question 131: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the registration fee in respect of social workers (details supplied). [8914/11]
- Medical Cards
Question 132: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when a medical card will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8917/11]
- Health Services
Question 133: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if he will explain the necessity for the renewal of the European health insurance card every four years; and her views that there could...
- Medical Cards
Question 134: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason for the refusal of a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11; and if he will make a statement on...
- Health Services
Question 135: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if he will provide details of the Health Service Executive transport bill for County Laois and County Offaly each year for the past five...
- Hospital Services
Question 136: To ask the Minister for Health and Children his plans regarding St. Luke's cancer hospital, Dublin; if it is his intention to continue with the closure of the cancer unit there;...
- Services for People with Disabilities
Question 137: To ask the Minister for Health and Children his views regarding a strategy for autism in Ireland, including enhancing and enforcing the rights of persons with autism through...
- Hospital Services
Question 138: To ask the Minister for Health and Children his views on recent reports that the number of inpatient beds dedicated to cystic fibrosis in the new block at St. Vincent's Hospital,...
- Medical Cards
Question 139: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding entitlement to a medical card (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8977/11]
- Mental Health Services
Question 141: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the total number of recommendations within the national mental health plan A Vision for Change which have been implemented to date and...
- Hospitals Building Programme
Question 142: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if he will initiate the review of the national children's hospital with or without a tender process; and if he will make a statement on...
- Medical Cards
Question 143: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding an application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on...
- Health Service Allowances
Question 144: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if an application for mobility allowance will now be approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny and if the...
- Medical Aids and Appliances
Question 145: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if a motorised wheelchair will be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny and if he will expedite the matter. [9002/11]
- Hospital Waiting Lists
Question 146: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the way he will reduce the waiting time for ENT appointments and surgery; if he will expedite the case of a person (details supplied) in...
- Health Service Staff
Question 147: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the extent of Government funding to a company (details supplied); if he has any concern or role in the salary being paid to the CEO; his...
- Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
- Road Network
Question 148: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a county council (details supplied) has any responsibility for cars damaged by potholes at a location (details supplied) and...
- Public Transport
Question 149: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if through the National Transport Authority or otherwise he will be consulted on the Dublin Bus new network direct route...
- Driver Licences
Question 150: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding a driving licence in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin. [8865/11]
- Tourism Promotion
Question 151: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will expand on plans by the tourism agencies to target tourists from London who may wish to leave the city during the...
- Sports Funding
Question 152: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on any potential national funding streams for sporting and community organisations in 2011. [8959/11]
- Taxi Regulations
Question 153: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide the failure rate of candidates sitting the commission for taxi regulation SPSV skills development test...
