Written answers
Wednesday, 9 November 2011
- Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
- Taxi Regulations
Question 15: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide further details on when the review of the taxi sector will be completed in November; if he will publish the...
- Public Transport
Question 16: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the efforts he has made to date to bring about a more diverse bus service provision; his plans to bring in competitive tendering...
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Question 17: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he was consulted in advance of a decision (details supplied) to abandon a legislated emissions reduction plan; if he proposes...
- Sports Capital Programme
Question 18: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he intends to open up a new round of applications for the capital sports grants; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Harbours and Piers
Question 19: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans in relation to job retention and creation at Dún Laoghaire harbour and at Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company; and if he...
- Sports Capital Programme
Question 20: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the discussions he has with the National Asset Management Agency in relation to making NAMA properties available as local sports...
- Public Transport
Question 21: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views regarding the Smarter Transport Bill 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33235/11]
- Dormant Accounts Fund
Question 22: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will be in a position to reinstate funding for the grants to support sport in disadvantaged areas; and if he will make a...
- Road Network
Question 23: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will approve the construction of the Ballaghaderreen bypass, County Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Tourism Promotion
Question 24: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has had any discussions with Trinity College Dublin regarding the possible return of the Book of Kells to the town of...
- Departmental Bodies
Question 25: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he plans to review the semi-State bodies operating under his aegis in the area of tourism; and if he will make a statement...
- Clamping Industry
Question 26: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will carry out a review of the unregulated clamping industry in a bid to create legislation that will be in the interest...
- Information and Communications Technology
Question 27: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to improve the tourist experience here through the use of mobile Internet devices and applications similar to and...
- Cycle Facilities
Question 29: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans, in conjunction with bike schemes similar to that in Dublin, to make cycling in urban centres safer and more viable...
- Public Transport
Question 30: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to expand the real-time information displays for Dublin Bus services throughout the city. [33438/11]
- Sport and Recreational Development
Question 31: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the role he sees for sport in the promotion of the national image; how he intends to ensure this is realised; and if he will...
- Road Network
Question 32: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has the authority to instruct Wexford County Council to lift planning restrictions along the preferred route for the...
- Inland Waterways
Question 34: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport about the discussions he has had with the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and his counterpart in the Northern...
- Job Creation
Question 35: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which an audit has been done of the total employment throughout the transport and tourism sectors with particular...
- Tourism Promotion
Question 37: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the development of off-peak tourism here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33236/11]
- Economic Competitiveness
Question 38: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 56 of 6 July 2011, the extent to which he and his Department have examined and pinpointed...
- North South Co-operation
Question 39: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the North-South areas of co-operation being advanced in the area of tourism; if he will report on...
- Road Network
Question 40: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will request that local authorities carry out a national review of speed limits on all national primary and secondary...
- Ferry Services
Question 41: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will liaise with his counterpart in the Northern Ireland Assembly to find a long-term strategic solution to ensure the...
- Tourism Industry
Question 42: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the discussions he has had with the National Asset Management Agency or with other Departments on the impact that NAMA has on...
- Road Signage
Question 45: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to carry out a review of road signage and its effectiveness in informing drivers of dangers in areas throughout the...
- Departmental Schemes
Question 48: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to put in place incentives for car pooling and other measures to reduce congestion on our roads. [33435/11]
- Tionscal Turasóireachta
Question 49: To ask the Aire Iompair, Turasóireachta agus Spóirt an polasaí atá aige chun an turasóireacht a fheabhsú sa Ghaeltacht; an bhfuil an Ghaeltacht sa phlean don, Gathering, sa...
- Rural Transport Services
Question 50: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the rural transport network will be included as an integral part of the local integrated transport services; his views on...
- Irish Language
Question 51: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way he will contribute to the maximisation of the potential of the Irish language and cultural tourism; and if he will make...
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Overseas Development Aid
Question 52: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the commitment of 0.7% of GNP target for overseas development aid will be achieved; and if he will make a...
- International Agreements
Question 53: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is positively disposed towards Ireland joining the Commonwealth; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Northern Ireland Issues
Question 54: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will support additional legal measures to oblige the British Government to hold a proper inquiry into the...
- EU Presidency
Question 56: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans for the Presidency of the European Council in 2013. [31198/11]
- OSCE Chairmanship
Question 59: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to outline his personal involvement in our forthcoming OSCE chairmanship. [31201/11]
- Official Engagements
Question 61: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has met any attendees to the Global Economic Forum before or since the forum in October 2011. [32726/11]
- Human Rights Issues
Question 62: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the arrest of a person (details supplied). [33606/11]
- Official Engagements
Question 65: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his attendance at the Global Irish Economic Forum in Dublin Castle on 7 and 8 October 2011....
- Department of Finance
- Proposed Legislation
Question 66: To ask the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 103 of 31 May 2011 the date in 2011 on which he proposes to introduce this legislation; if a title for the Bill...
- Tax Reliefs
Question 67: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will provide an update on application for tax relief on student contribution charges; the amount that will be repayable to taxpayers with more...
- Banking Sector Regulation
Question 68: To ask the Minister for Finance the powers he has to ensure that the ECB interest rate cut is passed on by all banks that operate here; his plans to legislate for this; and if he...
- Departmental Appointments
Question 69: To ask the Minister for Finance the changes he has made to the banking policy division of his Department since taking over as Minister; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Banking Sector
Question 70: To ask the Minister for Finance if there are new management teams in place in Allied Irish Banks and Bank of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33703/11]
- Department of Education and Skills
- Schools Recognition
Question 71: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the support and funding for ABA schools for children on the autistic spectrum; and if he will make a statement on...
- English Language Students
Question 72: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students who come to Ireland each year to study English; the number who come from China, Taiwan, Singapore, South Korea,...
- Special Educational Needs
Question 73: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is no language unit for pupils with speech and language difficulties in counties...
- Higher Education Grants
Question 74: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding cuts to education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33550/11]
- Special Educational Needs
Question 76: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the teacher allocation ratio for schools catering for children with severe and profound disability is six to one is also...
- School Transport
Question 78: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review a situation (details supplied) regarding school transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33657/11]
- Special Educational Needs
Question 79: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will deal with a matter (details supplied) regarding special needs assistants at a school; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Third Level Courses
Question 80: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for developing the international education sector here over the next few years. [33674/11]
- Third Level Facilities
Question 85: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the most recent percentage occupancy rates of teaching and research facilities in each of the third level institutions here in terms of...
- Third Level Expenditure
Question 88: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a breakdown of the amount each third level institution here spent on advertising this year and over the past few...
- Third Level Courses
Question 89: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has carried out any research into the duplication of courses in Irish third level institutions; and if he will make a statement on...
- Departmental Expenditure
Question 91: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he has taken to date to tackle the salaries and allowances paid to senior academic staff in third level institutions; and if...
- Departmental Research
Question 92: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has carried out any research comparing the pay of academic staff here with international academic staff; and if any significant...
- Teaching Qualifications
Question 93: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will supply an official definition as to the qualifications that are required for a literacy and numeracy teacher as same is being...
- Schools Building Projects
Question 94: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a school building project (details supplied ) has not progressed at the same pace as the other schools on the 2011 schools...
- Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
- Departmental Staff
Question 95: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if there are plans for the recruitment of further new staff for the Revenue Commissioner; and if he will make a statement on...
- Flood Relief
Question 96: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the financial resources such as humanitarian aid, rebuilding funds and refurbishment funds being made available to residents...
- National Lottery Funding
Question 97: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the full extent of funding available to him in the current year from the proceeds of the National Lottery; the extent to which...
- Flood Relief
Question 98: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if funding will be provided to deal with flooding problems in an area (details supplied) or if the Office of Public Works will...
- Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation
- Enterprise Support Services
Question 99: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when he expects a loan guarantee scheme to be available for small and medium enterprises; and if he will make a statement on...
- Department of Social Protection
- Social Welfare Appeals
Question 100: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision in respect of their appeal for disability allowance; and if she...
- Social Welfare Benefits
Question 102: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason rent allowance has been reduced in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement...
- Social Welfare Appeals
Question 104: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33514/11]
- Social Welfare Code
Question 105: To ask the Minister for Social Protection her plan for the forthcoming social welfare budget to address the issue whereby social welfare recipients will be encouraged to accept...
- Departmental Staff
Question 106: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she has received representations from social welfare offices calling for additional resources, staff and so on; if she will identify...
- Social Welfare Appeals
Question 107: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33551/11]
- Social Welfare Code
Question 110: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the partial capacity scheme; if it is now possible to apply for this scheme and the qualifying criteria for same;...
- Flood Relief
Question 111: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if the humanitarian assistance scheme 2009, as administered through the community welfare service, will offer assistance to householders...
- Redundancy Payments
Question 112: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a redundancy application (details supplied). [33573/11]
- Social Welfare Benefits
Question 113: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on the application for carer's allowance ion respect of a person (details supplied). [33581/11]
- Employment Support Services
Question 114: To ask the Minister for Social Protection her plans to review the eligibility criteria for the JobBridge programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33588/11]
- Social Welfare Benefits
Question 115: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding entitlements in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33592/11]
- Flood Relief
Question 116: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the financial resources such as humanitarian aid, rebuilding funds and refurbishment funds being made available to residents and...
- Social Welfare Code
Question 117: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that rent supplement recipients have had their rent supplement withdrawn or decreased on the...
- Social Welfare Benefits
Question 118: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the grounds on which back-to-school allowance was refused to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; if that decision can be...
- Department of Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht Affairs
- Teidlíochtaí Pinsin
Question 120: To ask the Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil cnapshuim, pinsean nó aon íocaíocht eile dlite d'iarfhostaí de chuid na Roinne (sonraí tugtha) a chuaigh ar...
- Department of Environment, Community and Local Government
- Water and Sewerage Schemes
Question 121: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the Office of Public Works will provide a progress report with respect to the works being carried out on...
- Environmental Policy
Question 123: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is still committed to publishing the Climate Change Bill in 2012 as indicated in the most recent...
- Social and Affordable Housing
Question 124: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will make money available to local authorities for the insulation of senior citizens housing complexes...
- Local Authority Housing
Question 125: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown of the amount of funding made available to Ballymun Regeneration Limited for...
- Waste Management
Question 126: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide full details of restructuring proposals for the waste management business and the...
- Community Development
Question 127: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when a Leader payment due to an organisation (details supplied) will be released. [33571/11]
- Local Electoral Areas
Question 128: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to revise the local authority boundaries in view of the 2011 census, and also in view of his...
- Voting Age
Question 129: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to reduce the voting age to 17 or 16 years of age in advance of the 2014 local elections; and if...
- Flood Relief
Question 130: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the financial resources such as humanitarian aid, rebuilding funds and refurbishment funds being made...
- Water Services
Question 131: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the gross estimated cost per annum of providing for all of the services, to implement the Water Services...
- Community Development
Question 133: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the specific plans in place for the inner city of Dublin in the absence of any partnership structure or...
- Building Regulations
Question 134: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding his plans to introduce a national building inspectorate service; and if he will make...
- Forbairt Pobail
Question 135: To ask the Aire Comhshaoil, Pobail agus Rialtais Áitiúil cén uair a thabharfar cead do Chomhar na nOileán an deontas atáá mholadh acu le haghaidh seomraí feistis in...
- Homeless Persons
Question 136: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the level of funding that was provided to the Simon Community and other organisations for emergency...
- Nuclear Plants
Question 137: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland has completed its independent assessment of the possible...
- Mortgage Arrears
Question 138: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide details about the two mortgage-to-rent schemes; when they will be launched; and if he...
- Local Authority Housing Loans
Question 139: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to ensure the interest rate cut is passed on to local authority mortgage holders. [33688/11]
- Department of Justice, Equality and Defence
- Crime Levels
Question 140: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if there are figures to indicate the amount of goods stolen in the Dublin region for the years 2008, 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011;...
- Immigration Policy
Question 141: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of students that have been designated as timed-out students under the New Immigration Regime for Full Time Non-EEA Students...
- Garda Transport
Question 142: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if the squad car in Sneem, County Kerry, which was crashed recently, will be put back on the road as soon as possible; and if he will...
- Court Accommodation
Question 143: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the poor condition of the railings at Carlow courthouse; and if he will ensure that remedial works...
- Garda Stations
Question 144: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the average running costs, excluding salaries and allowances, of a one-person Garda station in County Cork; and if he will make a...
- Garda Deployment
Question 146: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will review a matter (details supplied) regarding anti-social behaviour. [33560/11]
- International Agreements
Question 147: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on signing the Council of Europe Convention on the Preventing and Combating of Violence against Women and Domestic Violence;...
- Garda Expenditure
Question 148: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount paid by the Garda to its staff in mileage, motoring allowances and subsistence since 2008 in tabular form. [33589/11]
- Traffic Fines
Question 149: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide a breakdown, on a quarterly basis of the amount of fines that have been issued from the go-safe speed camera...
- Asylum Applications
Question 150: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will review the special circumstances of an application for naturalisation in respect of a person (details supplied) in view of...
- Visa Applications
Question 151: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the status of visa applications (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33672/11]
- Human Trafficking
Question 152: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will confirm that cases of forced labour can be prosecuted under the Criminal Law (Criminal Justice) Act 2008 without movement...
- Irish Red Cross
Question 153: To ask the Minister for Defence if following his letter to the chairman of the Irish Red Cross of 16 July regarding corporate governance issues the society has now considered a...
- Department of Agriculture, Marine and Food
- Grant PayGrant Paymentsments
Question 159: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason payment has not issued to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Departmental Schemes
Question 162: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a...
- Department of Health
- Child Protection
Question 163: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will review a matter (details supplied) regarding safety of young persons. [33559/11]
- Foreign Adoptions
Question 164: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding inter-country adoptions. [33494/11]
- National Lottery Funding
Question 165: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding an application for funding in respect of an organisation (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she...
- Health Service Staff
Question 166: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of social workers in place on 1 January 2011; the latest figure for the number of social workers in place; if the...
- Water Fluoridation
Question 169: To ask the Minister for Health his views on correspondence regarding fluoridation of the water supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33519/11]
- Health Services
Question 170: To ask the Minister for Health if Pobal funding will continue for a service (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33665/11]
- Care of the Elderly
Question 172: To ask the Minister for Health when the review of the Health Information Quality Authority standards for nursing homes which is also applied to welfare homes will be completed and...
- Medical Cards
Question 173: To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Nursing Homes Support Scheme
Question 174: To ask the Minister for Health if he will reverse the decision which he introduced on 1 October 2011, whereby the rules of the fair deal have been changed so that now an applicant...
- Health Services
Question 176: To ask the Minister for Health if he will review the policy of cutting treatments available on the medical card dental scheme; if he will reinstate the scale and polish scheme to...
- Accident and Emergency Services
Question 177: To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons who were treated in the accident and emergency department of each of the six major hospitals in the Dublin region for the years...
- Health Service Reform
Question 178: To ask the Minister for Health the names of all Health Service Executive hospitals which will be affected by the interim management support structure; and if he will make a...
- Freedom of Information
Question 182: To ask the Minister for Health the reason no response, reply or acknowledgement has ever been issued in response to a letter concerning a matter of extreme importance and...
- Health Services
Question 183: To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the parents of a child (details supplied) have been informed that it will take between 12 to 18...
- Medical Cards
Question 186: To ask the Minister for Health the minimum length of time for which a medical card is awarded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33597/11]
- Nursing Homes Support Scheme
Question 188: To ask the Minister for Health the number of applications received in the west region of the Health Service Executive for the fair deal scheme in 2011; the number of applications...
- Departmental Reports
Question 189: To ask the Minister for Health when the report on symphysiotomy commissioned in June will be completed; and the consultation that has been undertaken with the victims' groups in...
- Legislative Programme
Question 190: To ask the Minister for Health if there are plans to amend the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005; the reasons for such amendments; and if he will make a statement on...
- Health Service Staff
Question 191: To ask the Minister for Health the background and qualification checks he and the Health Service Executive carry out on agency care assistants; the way these assistants are...
- Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
- Tourism Industry
Question 193: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the yearly increase in visitor numbers to Ireland this year over last year; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Driving Tests
Question 194: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of persons who applied for their driving test between 4 January and 1 November 2011; the number of persons who took...
- Road Fatalities
Question 195: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a breakdown on a county basis of the number of road deaths that have occurred on roads here for the years...
- Rail Network
Question 196: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he or Irish Rail will be conducting an investigation into the way the scaffolding and associated refurbishment works on the...
- Economic Competitiveness
Question 197: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he has identified costs affecting the transport sector here as compared to such costs in competing...
- Departmental Expenditure
Question 199: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which infrastructure investment is likely to take place in respect of roads, rail or other transport; and if he...
- Transport Sector
Question 200: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he has had discussions with stakeholders in the transport sector with a view to identifying any issues...
- Tourism and Leisure Sectors
Question 203: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he has examined the potential for expansion in the tourism sector in the future; and if he will make a...
- Swimming Pool Projects
Question 205: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when it is expected that necessary funding will be provided for the provision of a swimming pool at Leixlip, County Kildare,...
- Sports Capital Programme
Question 206: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he expects to be in a position to respond to various sporting and recreational groups for funding under the...
