Written answers

Thursday, 8 November 2012

  • Department of Health
    • Hospital Acquired Infections
      To ask the Minister for Health if he is satisfied that our health services are putting in place sufficient measures to deal with hospital acquired patient infections; and if he will make a...
    • Health Services
      To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the planning application of the Simon Community, Ushers Quay, Dublin, in relation to a transfer of services from the Rowan Ward in...
    • Services for People with Disabilities
      To ask the Minister for Health the action he will take on foot of the recent NESC report Quality and Standards in Human Services in Ireland; Disability Services; and if he will make a statement...
    • Care of the Elderly
      To ask the Minister for Health the total number of patients that have been staying in acute hospitals for more than three months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48928/12]
    • Lourdes Hospital Redress Scheme
      To ask the Minister for Health if the review he initiated in his Department on how best to compensate those women victims of the former consultant Michael Neary and who were excluded from the...
    • Hospital Accommodation
      To ask the Minister for Health the total number of bed closures in acute hospitals in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48927/12]
    • Services for People with Disabilities
      To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that cuts to funding for disability services are beginning to threaten the progressive policy of accommodating persons...
    • Vaccination Programme
      To ask the Minister for Health if and when the signalled package of supports for children who contracted narcolepsy associated with the Pandemrix vaccine will be made available; the other...
    • Hospitals Building Programme
      To ask the Minister for Health if the relocation and redevelopment of Dublin's Maternity Hospital is being considered in the context of the decision pending on the National Children's Hospital;...
    • Universal Health Insurance
      To ask the Minister for Health when the White Paper on Financing Universal Health Insurance will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48933/12]
    • Labour Court Recommendations
      To ask the Minister for Health his plans to ensure that there are standard contracts with detailed terms and conditions for workers in the home help sector; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • Positive Ageing Strategy
      To ask the Minister for Health the date on which the Positive Ageing Strategy will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48948/12]
    • Services for People with Disabilities
      To ask the Minister for Health his plans for the future of St. Raphael's Centre in Youghal, County Cork, in the context of the implementation of the Time to Move On congregated setting report...
    • Orthodontic Services
      To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the periods of time children are waiting to receive orthodontic treatment; his views on whether it is unacceptable that...
    • Nursing Home Accommodation
      To ask the Minister for Health in view of the fact that 1,201 public nursing home beds have been closed between January 2011 and August 2012, the current total number of nursing home beds in the...
    • Hospital Staff
      To ask the Minister for Health the extent of staff shortages in acute hospitals; if the bill for agency staff in acute hospitals has reduced; the other alternatives to agency staff that are being...
    • Animal Welfare Issues
      To ask the Minister for Health if he will agree to animal welfare advice not to directly transpose a loophole in the ban on inflicting severe and prolonged pain on animals in experiments, article...
    • Universal Health Insurance
      To ask the Minister for Health if he will set out his revised timetable for the promised roll-out of free general practitioners care, beginning with long-term illness patients; and if he will...
    • Mental Health Services
      To ask the Minister for Health the action he has taken to develop mental health services for young persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46715/12]
    • Accident and Emergency Services
      To ask the Minister for Health if, following civil disturbances at a concert (details supplied), the promoter has reimbursed the Connolly and Mater Hospitals, Dublin, for the costs incurred by...
    • Hospital Services
      To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the concern amongst persons in the south east regarding a reconfiguration of hospital services in the region; his plans regarding...
    • Vaccination Programme
      To ask the Minister for Health if he will report on the new forms recently issued to general practitioners for flu vaccinations in view of the fact that GPs have reported that the new forms take...
    • Care of the Elderly
      To ask the Minister for Health the action he will take to ensure the provision of care home places and other supports to allow the discharge of more than 600 acute hospital patients who are ready...
    • Departmental Reports
      To ask the Minister for Health when he will publish his Department's report on mortality rates at acute hospitals; his views on whether his failure to acknowledge the inaccuracy of the figures at...
    • Services for People with Disabilities
      To ask the Minister for Health if he has carried out an audit of the cumulative effects of cuts to funding for disability services in recent years; if his attention has been drawn to the fact...
    • Medicinal Products
      To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the recent positive developments in the area of vaccines for lung cancer, prostate cancer and meningitis in Cuba; his views on...
    • Carer's Allowance Applications
      To ask the Minister for Health if his Department or the Health Service Executive is concerned about delays in processing applications for carer's payments; the implications of such delays for...
    • European Court of Human Rights Judgments
      To ask the Minister for Health if he has received the report from the expert group in relation to the A, B and C versus Ireland judgement in the European Court of Human Rights; his views on the...
    • Departmental Reports
      To ask the Minister for Health the date on which he will publish the Small Hospitals Report Securing the Future of Smaller Hospitals: A Framework for Development; if he will confirm that this...
    • Ambulance Service
      To ask the Minister for Health the progress that has been made in the Health Service Executive West region since the introduction of standardised ambulance response times; the steps being taken...
    • Health Service Staff
      To ask the Minister for Health his plans to make health service employees work longer hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48937/12]
    • Mobility Allowance
      To ask the Minister for Health his plans to review the mobility allowance for persons over 66 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48892/12]
    • Palliative Care Services
      To ask the Minister for Health the action he will take on foot of the recent NESC report Quality and Standards in Human Services in Ireland: End of Life Care in Hospitals; and if he will make a...
    • Hospital Services
      To ask the Minister for Health if he will ensure that any reorganisation of general hospital services throughout the country will not result in the closure or downgrading of existing hospitals on...
    • National Children's Hospital
      To ask the Minister for Health the date on which the report of the Dolphin Review Group on the National Children's Hospital will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48955/12]
    • Care of the Elderly
      To ask the Minister for Health if additional funding for the care of older persons has been provided in 2012; if he intends such funding to be increased year on year between now and 2016; and if...
    • Hospitals Building Programme
      To ask the Minister for Health if he will be seeking sanction from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for the relocation of the National Maternity Hospital to the Elm Park...
    • Energy Conservation
      To ask the Minister for Health in view of the Health Service Executive budget overrun and consequent cuts in essential services, his views on whether the energy costs across the health sector,...
    • Health Insurance Company Payments
      To ask the Minister for Health the amount in total that is owed to individual hospitals here and the Health Service Executive from private health insurers since 2009; his views on when this money...
    • Care of the Elderly
      To ask the Minister for Health the reasons that from 12 November 2012 Services for Older People Respite Service for the south Louth area will be removed from the Cottage Hospital in Drogheda and...
    • Services for People with Disabilities
      To ask the Minister for Health his response to the appeal by nine leading disability organisations issued on 17 September 2012 calling on him to halt cuts to funding for services for persons with...
    • Hospital Consultants' Remuneration
      To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the Health Service Executive negotiations with representatives of hospital consultants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48971/12]
    • Care of the Elderly
      To ask the Minister for Health the action he will take on foot of the recent NESC report Quality and Standards in Human Services in Ireland: Home Care for Older People; and if he will make a...
    • Health Service Executive Properties
      To ask the Minister for Health if he will advise on all enquiries made or consideration being given to the disposal or sale, either in full or in part, of St. Raphael's Centre in Youghal,...
    • Care of the Elderly
      To ask the Minister for Health his response to a recent report which states that every day over the next ten years, an additional seven older persons in the State will require long-term...
    • Alcohol Sales
      To ask the Minister for Health the intentions he has regarding the report of the National Substances Misuse Strategy Steering Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48954/12]
    • Health Service Reform
      To ask the Minister for Health if it is the case that the Health Service Executive has taken the decision to outsource central payroll operations and its support system infrastructure; the number...
    • Health Services
      To ask the Minister for Health the extent of, and the actions he will take to reverse, the decision of Health Service Executive services to refuse to provide incontinence pads to persons in need,...
    • Health Service Staff
      To ask the Minister for Health the annual outlay for personal assistants in each of the years 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 and the anticipated spend for same in 2012; if he will confirm that there...
    • Services for People with Disabilities
      To ask the Minister for Health the action he is taking to ensure that school leavers with mental health disabilities who will leave school in 2013 will have suitable placements and services...
    • Health Insurance Cost
      To ask the Minister for Health his views on the latest increase in VHI prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48939/12]
    • Health Screening Programmes
      To ask the Minister for Health when BreastCheck will be extended to women aged 65 to 69 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48929/12]
    • Hospital Services
      To ask the Minister for Health if he will address the service provision on the northside of Dublin for citizens with cystic fibrosis in view of the fact that there are only four dedicated rooms...
    • Home Help Service
      To ask the Minister for Health if reports that home helps in County Cork have been instructed that they can no longer do tasks such as housework, shopping or collecting medication for elderly and...
    • Treatment Abroad Scheme
      To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to new procedures for issuing Form E112, hospital treatment in another EU/EEA country, which involve now having an appointment with...
    • Care of the Elderly
      To ask the Minister for Health the action he will take on foot of the recent NESC report Quality and Standards in Human Services in Ireland; Residential Care for Older People; and if he will make...
    • Health Insurance Cost
      To ask the Minister for Health the action he will take to tackle spiralling consumer prices in the private insurance market; his views on whether health insurers have the scope to reduce their...
    • National Dementia Strategy
      To ask the Minister for Health the date on which the National Dementia Strategy will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48944/12]
    • Home Help Service
      To ask the Minister for Health the average spend per head of the population aged over 65 years in each county for the provision of home help hours; the account that was taken of the disparity in...
    • Medical Cards
      To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide a full list of the medicines and patient products that have been withdrawn from the medical card and drug reimbursement schemes in 2012; and if...
    • Suicide Prevention
      To ask the Minister for Health his views on the verdict of the head of suicide prevention agency; Turn the Tide of Suicide, that the Government has worse than failed when it comes to tackling...
    • Health Service Expenditure
      To ask the Minister for Health if he expects the Health Service Executive budget to be in a deficit for the year; the action he will take to ensure that any measures to contain cost overruns will...
    • Hospital Accommodation
      To ask the Minister for Health if he will ensure the restoration of the 22 beds cut from the Hospital of the Assumption, Thurles, Couny Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Health Service Expenditure
      To ask the Minister for Health the State funding provided to private home care providers for the current year; the projected cost of such funding for 2013; the number of private home care...
    • Health Services
      To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 13 of 16 May 2012, if he will provide an update on the changes outlined by him in response; if he will confirm that since the...
    • Medical Card Eligibility
      To ask the Minister for Health the numbers of discretionary medical cards that have been withdrawn to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48950/12]
    • Hospital Services
      To ask the Minister for Health his views on the concern that cutbacks in cardiology in the Midwest Regional Hospital, Limerick, are putting undue pressure on services at University Hospital...
    • Accident and Emergency Services
      To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide a progress report on the review of accident and emergency service at St. Columcille's Hospital in Loughlinstown, County Dublin; and if he will...
    • Home Help Service
      To ask the Minister for Health his views on whether it is acceptable that some older persons are receiving just 30 minutes of home help support a week while others are forced to wash and toilet...
  • Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
    • Diplomatic Representation
      To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the following matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49064/12]
    • Departmental Expenditure
      To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the gross and net additional expenditure savings that his Department is seeking to achieve in 2013; and if he will make a...
    • Immigration Policy
      To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 154 of 26 June 2012, if he will provide the 2011 figures; and if these figures can be...
    • Departmental Bodies
      To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide in a tabular form the total list of quasi-Governmental organisations and agencies under his remit; if he...
    • Public Sector Pensions
      To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide in tabular form the number of public servants in receipt of annual gross public sector pensions of between 0...
  • Department of Finance
    • Tax Code
      To ask the Minister for Finance if he will introduce the necessary changes in order to give full tax equality to same-sex couples; if will provide a timescale for any introduction of this...
    • Tax Yield
      To ask the Minister for Finance the total number of litres of motor fuel, petrol and diesel, sold in the State in the five most recent years for which figures are available; the total amount of...
    • Credit Unions
      To ask the Minister for Finance the number of credit unions that operate debit cards for their customers; the reasons a credit union (details supplied) had to discontinue the debit cards used by...
    • Departmental Staff Redeployment
      To ask the Minister for Finance the number of posts and the locations of the posts expected to be filled from the existing Revenue panel for administrative officers in audit and compliance; and...
    • Pension Provisions
      To ask the Minister for Finance the rate at which the pension provisions of senior managers in the banks in which the State has a stake will be taxed; and if he has considered levying a high rate...
    • Motor Fuels
      To ask the Minister for Finance the consideration that has been given to ending the price differential in diesel prices in order to tackle fuel laundering and if he will consider an alternative...
    • Mortgage Interest Relief
      To ask the Minister for Finance the number of persons who are in receipt of mortgage tax relief at present for loans taken out in or after 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Departmental Expenditure
      To ask the Minister for Finance the gross and net additional expenditure savings that his Department is seeking to achieve in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49242/12]
    • Tax Reliefs
      To ask the Minister for Finance the reduction in tax expenditure that would be achieved from abolishing tax relief for medical and dental insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Tax Yield
      To ask the Minister for Finance the reduction in tax expenditure that would be achieved by reducing the ceiling on the tax exempt earning of artists from €40,000 to €30,000; and if...
    • Tax Reliefs
      To ask the Minister for Finance the saving that would be achieved from abolishing building heritage relief; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49274/12]
    • Tax Yield
      To ask the Minister for Finance if he will set out in tabular form the tax revenue from income tax, the income levy, health levy, universal social charge and corporation tax for each year from...
    • Departmental Bodies
      To ask the Minister for Finance if he will provide in a tabular form the total list of quasi-Governmental organisations and agencies under his remit; if he will provide a list of...
    • Tax Yield
      To ask the Minister for Finance the estimated additional tax yield if universal social charge was reformed (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49324/12]
    • Universal Social Charge
      To ask the Minister for Finance the number of persons paying the universal social charge (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49325/12]
    • Tax Yield
      To ask the Minister for Finance the numbers of persons that avoid tax on the grounds of non domicile; the estimate of total tax foregone by the State in a full year from this exemption; the...
    • Tax Reliefs
      To ask the Minister for Finance the numbers of persons that used the artist exemption in the years 2011 and 2012 in respect of their earnings; the total tax foregone to the State in those years...
    • Employment Investment Incentive Scheme
      To ask the Minister for Finance if he has considered an enterprise investment scheme as is operated in the UK whereby an investor in an early-stage enterprise can claim back up to 50% of their...
    • Banking Sector Remuneration
      To ask the Minister for Finance if he will outline any additional payments, made by the covered banks to their employee pension schemes since 2007 that fall outside of normal employer...
    • Alcohol Sales
      To ask the Minister for Finance if he will provide in tabular form the total number of inspections by Revenue and Customs for under age alcohol selling, sale of alcohol outside opening hours,...
  • Department of Education and Skills
    • Public Sector Pay
      To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the net saving to the Exchequer if all vocational educational committee pay was capped at €100,000. [49129/12]
    • FÁS Training Programmes
      To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare can obtain a training course with FÁS at an early date in order to facilitate access to...
    • Student Support Schemes
      To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a matter (details attached); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49060/12]
    • Student Grant Scheme Eligibility
      To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo has been refused the maintenance element of the student grant; and if he will make a statement...
    • Student Grant Scheme Applications
      To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of student grant applications that have been received by Student Universal Support Ireland; the number that have been processed, awarded,...
    • Home Tuition Scheme
      To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a person (details supplied) in County Clare will be facilitated with home tuition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49116/12]
    • Redundancy Payments
      To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a payment in respect of a Labour Court recommendation will be paid to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Special Educational Needs
      To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if special needs assistants are permitted under the terms of their employment to perform general secretarial work for the school; and if he will make...
    • School Patronage
      To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress that has been made to date in relation to a school (details supplied) in County Clare; when he will move to the next step; and if he will...
    • School Staffing
      To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to introduce a system whereby teachers may transfer closer to where they are living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49167/12]
    • Student Grant Scheme Applications
      To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of appeals broken down on a county basis received to date by Student Universal Support Ireland for student grants; the length of time it is...
    • Schools Building Projects
      To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the necessary funding for a project (details supplied) in Dublin 16 will be made available now that planning permission has been granted; and if...
    • Departmental Expenditure
      To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the gross and net additional expenditure savings that his Department is seeking to achieve in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Bullying in Schools
      To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the free anti-bullying resource for teachers at www.antibullyingcampaign.ie; if this or other similarly appropriate...
    • Teachers' Remuneration
      To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the date on which a teacher would have had to have graduated from a Masters degree course and have commenced a Masters degree programme to be eligible...
    • Departmental Bodies
      To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide in a tabular form the total list of quasi-Governmental organisations and agencies under his remit; if he will provide a list of...
    • Departmental Funding
      To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update in tabular form, of the grants from his Department payable in the year 2012 to non Governmental agencies based here or...
    • School Funding
      To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the financial assistance available to a school (details supplied) in Dublin 22; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49329/12]
    • Site Acquisitions
      To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on the development of a new school (details provided) in County Dublin ; if that school is part of the new build...
    • School Curriculum
      To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he is satisfied that Give Peace a Chance: An Educational Resource on Conflict and Peace Building for Post Primary Educators is sufficiently...
    • Public Sector Pensions
      To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide in tabular form the number of public servants in receipt of annual gross public sector pensions of between 0 to 10,000 euro, 10,001...
  • Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
    • Heritage Centres
      To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the overall annual expenditure by the Office of Public Works on guides for OPW sites; if he will provide a breakdown per site of this...
    • Museum Projects
      To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the spending on improvements that have been undertaken at a museum (details supplied) in Dublin 14; the outstanding works that remain to be...
    • Flood Relief Schemes
      To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the funding provided by the Office of Public Works towards flood relief in south county Dublin; if he will detail the projects for which...
    • Public Sector Pay
      To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the net saving to the Exchequer if all non commercial State agencies or bodies pay was capped at €100,000. [49133/12]
    • Departmental Properties
      To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 148 of 18 October 2012, if he will further provide the function of each of the properties listed in...
    • Departmental Staff Numbers
      To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of staff at each grade within the civil service at the time of the introduction of the recruitment moratorium; the current number...
    • Public Sector Pensions
      To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the saving to the Exchequer if the following bands were applied to the public service pension reduction at all public sector pensions, up to...
    • Departmental Expenditure
      To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the gross and net additional expenditure savings that his Department is seeking to achieve in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • Public Sector Pensions
      To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide in a tabular the number of public servants in receipt of annual gross public sector pensions of between 0 to 10,000...
    • Departmental Bodies
      To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide in a tabular form the total list of quasi-Governmental organisations and agencies under his remit; if he will provide a...
    • Public Sector Pensions
      To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the terms of the Public Service Pension Reduction; the timeframe it remains in place; if it is paid by both public servants and civil...
  • Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation
    • Health and Safety Inspections
      To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide in tabular form the total number of inspections by the Health and Safety Authority for Compliance with Health and Safety...
    • Waste Management
      To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of inspections that were carried out by National Standards Authority of Ireland or certified third parties on waste management...
    • Departmental Bodies
      To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide in a tabular form the total list of quasi-Governmental organisations and agencies under his remit; if he will provide a...
    • National Standards Authority of Ireland
      To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide in tabular form, the total number of inspections that has been undertaken by the National Standard Authority of Ireland...
    • Employment Rights
      To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide in tabular form the total number of inspections by the National Employments Rights Agency for compliance with relevant...
    • Work Permits
      To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if and when a work permit will be renewed or is requested in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make...
    • Public Sector Pensions
      To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide in tabular form the number of public servants in receipt of annual gross public sector pensions of between 0 to 10,000...
  • Department of Social Protection
    • Carer's Allowance Applications
      To ask the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an application for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details provided) in Co. Kerry; and if she will make a...
    • Rental Accommodation Scheme Applications
      To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made in respect of an application for rent allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 16; and if she will make...
    • Social Welfare Appeals
      To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cavan; when a decision may be expected; and if she will make a...
    • Community Employment Schemes
      To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of participants on community employment programmes on 1 October 2012 and 1 October 2011, nationally and specifically in counties Dublin and...
    • Carer's Allowance Applications
      To ask the Minister for Social Protection if a decision on a carer's allowance application has been appealed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a...
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49157/12]
    • Exceptional Needs Payment
      To ask the Minister for Social Protection if will arrange to have a manual payment raised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare whose rent allowance was temporarily...
    • Rental Accommodation Scheme Payments
      To ask the Minister for Social Protection in view of correspondence (details supplied) if she will now arrange to have arrears of rent supplement paid to the person; and if she will make a...
    • Social Welfare Fraud
      To ask the Minister for Social Protection the fraud savings target set for each scheme in 2012; the fraud savings to date under each scheme and the number of claims involved; the level of fraud...
    • One-Parent Family Payment Appeals
      To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a lone parent allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the...
    • Disability Allowance Appeals
      To ask the Minister for Social Protection when an appeal for a disability allowance will be granted in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if she will make a statement on...
    • Departmental Expenditure
      To ask the Minister for Social Protection the gross and net additional expenditure savings that her Department is seeking to achieve in 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49247/12]
    • Social Welfare Rates
      To ask the Minister for Social Protection the saving that would be achieved from reducing the personal weekly social protection rates of payment for persons under 66 years by €5 per week...
    • Rent Supplement Scheme Expenditure
      To ask the Minister for Social Protection the saving that would be achieved from increasing the minimum contribution for rent supplement by €4 weekly, €8 for couples; and if she...
    • Social Insurance Yield
      To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will set out in tabular form, the gross receipts from employee and employer PRSI for each year from 2007 to 2011; and if she will make a statement...
    • Departmental Bodies
      To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide in a tabular form the total list of quasi-Governmental organisations and agencies under her remit; if she will provide a list of...
    • Employment Support Services
      To ask the Minister for Social Protection when she plans to roll out the new INTREO service in Cork city or county. [49347/12]
    • Carer's Allowance Appeals
      To ask the Minister for Social Protection when an appeal will be decided upon in relation to a carer's allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare. [49349/12]
    • Rent Supplement Scheme Eligibility
      To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason rent support has not been restored in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the...
    • Jobseeker's Allowance Applications
      To ask the Minister for Social Protection when jobseeker's allowance will be paid in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter....
    • Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance Scheme Applications
      To ask the Minister for Social Protection if and when back to school allowance will be paid in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the...
    • Social Welfare Appeals
      To ask the Minister for Social Protection when an appeal will be determined in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49374/12]
    • Rent Supplement Scheme Payments
      To ask the Minister for Social Protection the correct level of rent support payable in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter....
    • Domiciliary Care Allowance Eligibility
      To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the refusal of domiciliary care allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a...
    • Public Sector Pensions
      To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide in tabular form the number of public servants in receipt of annual gross public sector pensions of between 0 to 10,000 euro, 10,001...
  • Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
    • National Library
      To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans (details supplied) regarding the National Library [49345/12]
    • Wildlife Regulations
      To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Question No. 382 of 23 October 2012, the process by which this product can be considered under the regulations...
    • Departmental Expenditure
      To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the gross and net additional expenditure savings that his Department is seeking to achieve in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • Departmental Bodies
      To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide in a tabular form the total list of quasi-Governmental organisations and agencies under his remit; if he will provide a...
    • Public Sector Pensions
      To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide in tabular form the number of public servants in receipt of annual gross public sector pensions of between 0 to 10,000...
  • Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
    • Warmer Homes Scheme Applications
      To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason an application for a warmer homes grant in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare agreed in June...
    • Broadcasting Services
      To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will clarify the law and regulations surrounding the availability of UK terrestrial channels on satellite systems here;...
    • Better Energy Homes Scheme
      To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress being made on the retrofitting of old housing stock with appropriate insulation; if any of the funding available...
    • Broadcasting Services
      To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of households that subscribe to receive TV channels and the percentage this represents of households receiving...
    • Departmental Expenditure
      To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the gross and net additional expenditure savings that his Department is seeking to achieve in 2013; and if he will make a...
    • Departmental Bodies
      To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide in a tabular form the total list of quasi-Governmental organisations and agencies under his remit; if he...
  • Department of Environment, Community and Local Government
    • Public Sector Pay
      To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the net saving to the Exchequer if all local authority pay was capped at €100,000. [49131/12]
    • Non-Principal Private Residence Charge
      To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the revenue that would be raised from increasing the non principal private residence tax to €300 [49285/12]
    • Environment Fund
      To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government when the annual report for the Environment Fund be will published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49100/12]
    • Waste Management
      To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if the refuse collection services provided by private operators in the Dublin area meet with EU standards, particularly in...
    • Domestic Violence Refuges
      To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the fact that a housing association (details supplied) is unable to provide crisis refuge accommodation for many of...
    • Local Authority Charges
      To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will list the vacant residential property units in the Dublin City Council and Fingal County Council...
    • Departmental Expenditure
      To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the gross and net additional expenditure savings that his Department is seeking to achieve in 2013; and if he will make a...
    • Departmental Bodies
      To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in a tabular form the total list of quasi-Governmental organisations and agencies under his remit; if he...
    • Unfinished Housing Developments
      To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the course open to residents living in unfinished estates who were unhappy with the National Housing Development Survey 2011...
    • Pyrite Remediation Programme
      To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the fact that a company (details supplied) are refusing claims of homeowners with heave inducing pyrite of a level...
    • Social and Affordable Housing Maintenance
      To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if the repairs in lieu of rehousing scheme is still in operation and if allocations are being given to the various local...
    • Water Quality
      To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form the total number of inspections for taking and testing water samples in 2009, 2010, 2011 and...
    • Plastic Bag Levy
      To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form the total number of inspections for compliance with plastic bag levy in 2009, 2010, 2011 and...
    • Public Sector Pensions
      To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form the number of public servants in receipt of annual gross public sector pensions of between 0...
  • Department of Justice and Equality
    • Probation and Welfare Service
      To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will confirm the action being taken in relation to an issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49062/12]
    • Departmental Funding
      To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount of funding that has been given by taxpayers to the National Women's Council for the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • Visa Applications
      To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the options open to a person (details supplied) who is here on a holiday visa and who wishes to legally extend their stay here. [49106/12]
    • Private Security Authority
      To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will clarify the law as it applies to the private security industry; the specific role and responsibility of the Private Security Authority; if...
    • Proposed Legislation
      To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his legislative plans to provide for periodic payments in catastrophic injury cases following the recommendation of the High Court Working Group that...
    • Departmental Expenditure
      To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the gross and net additional expenditure savings that his Department is seeking to achieve in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Departmental Bodies
      To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide in a tabular form the total list of quasi-Governmental organisations and agencies under his remit; if he will provide a list of...
    • Private Security Authority Inspections
      To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide in tabular form the total number of inspections by the Private Security Authority to ensure that a person or contractor licence is...
    • Asylum Applications
      To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 1217 of the 18 September 2012, if the notification of deportation proposal taken on 29 January 2008 or at an...
    • Residency Permits
      To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 171 of the 20 September 2012, if he will have regard to the situation now arising and any likely developments in...
    • Naturalisation Applications
      To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress made to date in determination of naturalisation procedures in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will...
    • Residency Permits
      To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the current and or expected status in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49382/12]
    • Naturalisation Applications
      To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the eligibility for naturalisation or residency on a temporary basis arising from work permit in the case of a person (details supplied) in County...
    • Residency Permits
      To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress, if any that has been made in the determination of eligibility for residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Cork;...
    • Naturalisation Applications
      To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the current position in regard to determination of eligibility for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Louth [49385/12]
    • Residency Permits
      To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will confirm that his Department or the INIS have received documentary evidence requested by way of communication from this office dated 2...
    • Naturalisation Applications
      To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality when Stamp 4 will be updated and naturalisation considered in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a...
    • Residency Permits
      To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will review the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49388/12]
    • Public Sector Pensions
      To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide in tabular form the number of public servants in receipt of annual gross public sector pensions of between 0 to 10,000 euro, 10,001...
  • Department of Defence
    • Departmental Expenditure
      To ask the Minister for Defence the gross and net additional expenditure savings that his Department is seeking to achieve in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49239/12]
    • Departmental Bodies
      To ask the Minister for Defence if he will provide in a tabular form the total list of quasi-Governmental organisations and agencies under his remit; if he will provide a list of...
    • Value for Money Reviews
      To ask the Minister for Defence when he will publish a value for money report he has received in relation to the Reserve Defence Forces; if he will outline his vision for the future role of the...
    • Public Sector Pensions
      To ask the Minister for Defence if he will provide in tabular form the number of public servants in receipt of annual gross public sector pensions of between 0 to 10,000 euro, 10,001 to 20,000...
  • Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
    • Food Safety Authority
      To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide in tabular form the total number of inspections for cracked or dirty/use by dates/sell by dates for eggs in 2009, 2010,...
    • Single Payment Scheme Payments
      To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will give a county breakdown of single farm payment figures; if he will state the number of farmers in each county in receipt of...
    • Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments
      To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Sligo may expect their 2011 agri environment option scheme payment to be finalised; the reason...
    • Departmental Expenditure
      To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the savings achieved in his Department following the recent change in the DVO in Darrara Clonakilty, County Cork; and if he will make a...
    • Live Exports
      To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding plans to reopen live cattle exports to Egypt; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49171/12]
    • Commonage Division
      To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if Kerry bog ponies will be included in the calculations for restocking of the hills in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on...
    • Single Payment Scheme Expenditure
      To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers, broken down by county, that are receiving less than €10,000, between €10,001 and €25,000,...
    • Common Fisheries Policy Reform
      To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the positive implications for Ireland of the recent agreement reached on securing €6 billion under the EMFF; and if he will make a...
    • Departmental Expenditure
      To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the gross and net additional expenditure savings that his Department is seeking to achieve in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • Departmental Bodies
      To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide in a tabular form the total list of quasi-Governmental organisations and agencies under his remit; if he will provide a...
    • Animal Disease Controls
      To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total amount of compensation paid in 2011 in respect of all animals that were slaughtered as part of the disease eradication programme...
    • Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Applications
      To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their payment for disadvantaged area aid payment; and if he will make a...
    • Single Payment Scheme Payments
      To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay in issuing payment to a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon; the reason the map has to be digitised...
    • Rural Environment Protection Scheme Payments
      To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 474 of 2 October 2012, the position regarding a reduction (details supplied). [49343/12]
    • Stocking Densities
      To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ensure that his Department imposes stocking rates that are appropriate to the quality of lands being farmed (details supplied)...
    • EU Directives
      To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding Irish aquaculture licences (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49368/12]
    • Public Sector Pensions
      To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide in tabular form the number of public servants in receipt of annual gross public sector pensions of between 0 to 10,000...
  • Department of Children and Youth Affairs
    • Child Care Services
      To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children currently availing of the free childcare place for four year olds; the cost of the scheme; the approximate cost of...
    • Preschool Services
      To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if a person (details supplied) will be facilitated in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49054/12]
    • Departmental Expenditure
      To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the gross and net additional expenditure savings that her Department is seeking to achieve in 2013; and if she will make a statement on the...
    • Departmental Bodies
      To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide in a tabular form the total list of quasi-Governmental organisations and agencies under her remit; if she will provide a...
    • Youth Services
      To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will consider an application for funding under the Dormant Accounts Fund 2010 for establishment of new youth cafe facilities for Limerick...
    • Public Sector Pensions
      To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide in tabular form the number of public servants in receipt of annual gross public sector pensions of between 0 to 10,000 euro,...
  • Department of Health
    • National Environment and Health Action Plan
      To ask the Minister for Health the progress made to date in implementing and ratifying the National Environmental Health Action Plan relating to environmental health here; and if he will make a...
    • Hospital Waiting Lists
      To ask the Minister for Health the extent of the waiting list, numbers and waiting times for in-patient and outpatient ear nose and throat services at Waterford Regional Hospital; and if he will...
    • Health Service Staff
      To ask the Minister for Health the plans in place in relation for recruiting addition paramedics and advanced paramedics in the health service in view of their important role within pre-hospital...
    • Health Service Reform
      To ask the Minister for Health the date on which legislation will be introduced to change the Health Service Executive governance and organisation structure; and if he will make a statement on...
    • Home Care Packages
      To ask the Minister for Health if he will review the provision of home care assistance to persons (details supplied) in County Cork to ensure it is adequate for their needs; and if he will make a...
    • Misuse of Drugs
      To ask the Minister for Health the way he intends to tackle the problem of the overuse of sedatives and tranquillisers amongst the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49108/12]
    • Mental Health Services
      To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of the way the €35 million ringfenced annually for mental health has been spent; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • Hospital Consultants' Remuneration
      To ask the Minister for Health the net saving to the Exchequer if hospital consultant pay was capped at €150,000 [49125/12]
    • Health Service Executive Staff Remuneration
      To ask the Minister for Health the net saving to the Exchequer if all Health Service Executive pay, excluding hospital consultants, was capped at €100,000 [49135/12]
    • Hospital Waiting Lists
      To ask the Minister for Health the progress made to date toward a reduction of waiting lists and times in respect of all surgical procedures at all public hospitals throughout the country; and if...
    • Bullying in Schools
      To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which the Health Service Executive has been in a position to assist victims of school bullying; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49140/12]
    • Health Service Expenditure
      To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which it has been found possible to identify areas and causes of expenditure overruns throughout the health services by the Health Service Executive;...
    • National Children's Hospital
      To ask the Minister for Health if he has satisfied himself as to the availability of the most suitable readily accessible site for the provision of the proposed new Children's Hospital; if he has...
    • Nursing Home Services
      To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which comparisons continue to be made between average weekly patient costs in public and private nursing homes each caring for patients with similar...
    • Health Service Staff
      To ask the Minister for Health the cost difference between the use of agency nursing staff as opposed to temporary whole or part time staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49145/12]
    • Health Services
      To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the impact that any further cuts to a foundation (details supplied) will have on those who depend on the services provided by...
    • Hospital Services
      To ask the Minister for Health the reason no contact has been made to date with a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny as committed to in correspondence by either Waterford Regional...
    • Hospital Waiting Lists
      To ask the Minister for Health if an early appointment will be arranged in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; the reason the list is not being progressed; and the action...
    • Respite Care Services
      To ask the Minister for Health if a plan for regular periods of respite will be put in place in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if he will expedite a response [49195/12]
    • Treatment Abroad Scheme
      To ask the Minister for Health if he will outline the programmes and resources available to his Department and the Health Service Executive to allow children with rare illnesses to access...
    • Social Workers Register
      To ask the Minister for Health if he will take steps to ensure that the new registration fee for social care professionals which will be €295 is reduced and brought into line with the fees...
    • Hospital Staff
      To ask the Minister for Health the reason no replacement for a specialist surgeon in a hospital (details supplied) has been hired in over 18 months; the impact this has had on waiting list for...
    • Hospital Waiting Lists
      To ask the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry has to wait in excess of nine months for surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49218/12]
    • Health Insurance Cover
      To ask the Minister for Health if EU health insurance cover will adequately cater for surgery costs in Poland during the holiday period having regard to documentation in the case of a person...
    • Nursing Home Services
      To ask the Minister for Health if he has been apprised of developments at Crooksling Nursing Home County Dublin resulting in a reduction in patient numbers despite the availability of adequate...
    • Health Services
    • Hospital Services
      To ask the Minister for Health his plans to provide finance for the setting up of a Huntington's disease clinic here that would include the appointment of a neurologist, a HD specialist nurse,...
    • Departmental Expenditure
      To ask the Minister for Health the gross and net additional expenditure savings that his Department is seeking to achieve in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49244/12]
    • Health Service Executive Properties
      To ask the Minister for Health if he will investigate the delay since 2010 in the completion of a lease between the Health Service Executive and a childcare centre (details supplied) in County...
    • Health Services
      To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the plans of the Health Service Executives plans to provide four to five clients of the HSE with a high support unit in Kilkenny City; if the...
    • Drugs Payment Scheme
      To ask the Minister for Health the approximate cost of reducing the monthly threshold for the drug payment scheme from €132 a month to €120 a month; and if he will make a statement...
    • Home Help Service
      To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 239 of 25 October 2012, when he will furnish a reply to the issues raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Departmental Bodies
      To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide in a tabular form the total list of quasi-Governmental organisations and agencies under his remit; if he will provide a list of...
    • Primary Care Centres
      To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide in full detail the process for the awarding of the contract for a Primary Care Centre (details supplied) in County Dublin; if the latest contract...
    • Medical Card Applications
      To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding an emergency medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49353/12]
    • Food Safety Authority
      To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form the total number of inspections by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland and or the Health Service Executive for checking...
    • Drugs Payment Scheme
      To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding drug reimbursement in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49369/12]
    • Public Sector Pensions
      To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form the number of public servants in receipt of annual gross public sector pensions of between 0 to 10,000 euro, 10,001 to 20,000...
  • Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
    • Museum Projects
      To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to establish a National Sports Museum / Hall of Fame; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49126/12]
    • Departmental Expenditure
      To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the gross and net additional expenditure savings that his Department is seeking to achieve in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • Departmental Bodies
      To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide in a tabular form the total list of quasi-Governmental organisations and agencies under his remit; if he will provide a...
    • Public Sector Pensions
      To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide in tabular form the number of public servants in receipt of annual gross public sector pensions of between 0 to 10,000...